An aged care worker is among 19 new locally-acquired cases of COVID-19 confirmed in the nation’s capital today – taking the number of active cases in the territory to 28.
ACT Health has confirmed a staff member at Greenway Views aged care village in Tuggeranong has tested positive for COVID-19 and had worked shifts across three days while infectious. The worker had received one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine at the time of infection with the virus.
“The staff member unknowingly worked three shifts at the village, during their infectious period, which we believe was from Tuesday the 10th through to Thursday the 12th of August, before becoming symptomatic on the 13th and getting tested,” the ACT Chief Health Officer, Kerryn Coleman said.
“We are working very, very closely with the village to contain this outbreak. Our priority is to minimise the risk of transmission and protect the residents and staff in the village.
“We are putting in additional safely measures. We have a team out there at the moment and we are looking at full PPE for staff. We are communicating with the family and guardians of residents and staff to answer questions and to keep them well-informed.
“Throughout today, all residents and staff will be tested by an in-reach team – that is our number one priority after minimising the risk of further onward transmission.
“This is the first time that the ACT has recorded a case in a retirement village or aged care setting, but we have been preparing for this for the last 12 to 18 months.”
Another of today’s new cases in Canberra was a student at Lyneham High School, who attended classes over four days while infectious.
The ACT government has also extended the territory’s lockdown – initially set to end this Thursday – for a further two weeks, until at least September 2.
