Rapid response to positive results at Waitematā DHB

1 May, 2020

Rapid response to positive results at Waitematā DHB

Waitematā DHB is taking immediate steps to manage any potential risk to patients and staff after three staff members at Waitakere Hospital tested positive for COVID-19.

The staff had worked on a ward where COVID-positive patients from St Margaret’s Hospital and Rest Home were transferred due to staffing shortages at that facility.

“As soon as we became aware of these cases, we moved quickly to respond and we will take all appropriate actions to minimise any risks,” said Waitematā DHB Deputy CEO Dr Andrew Brant.

“It is unclear at this stage whether contact with those patients was the source of the staff contracting COVID-19 or whether any of the cases are linked. Full personal protective equipment was made available and worn by staff at all times in this area.

“The DHB has an auditing programme in place on the appropriate use of PPE for all COVID patients. An urgent review is in progress to understand how and where the infection may have occurred. “Contact-tracing of staff and patients is underway to identify close and casual contacts for follow-up. A number of staff are being stood-down from work as a precaution and are going into self-isolation pending test results.”

Waitematā DHB has closed affected areas at Waitakere Hospital to further admissions and is considering any other precautionary measures that need to be taken for the patients in those wards who may have come into contact with the COVID-positive staff members.

The DHB still has capacity to admit to other parts of Waitakere Hospital.