Two Sydney aged care homes return positive tests among unvaccinated staff

Two aged care homes in Sydney have returned positive COVID-19 tests among unvaccinated staff members.

The NSW government announced on Thursday morning that two staff members at a Japara facility in the Sydney suburb of Belrose tested positive, alongside one staff member at the Palms Aged Care home in Kirrawee. 

The nurse from the Palms Aged Care home was diagnosed with the virus on Tuesday night, sending the facility into lockdown.

All 65 residents have been tested for the virus and are in isolation. It is believed half have returned negative results so far.

The Palms released a statement online that said all residents were being treated as close contacts and monitored for symptoms.

Operations manager Mathew Hafford said “everything possible” is being done to help contain and control the outbreak as quickly and safely as possible.

The majority of the residents and staff are fully vaccinated.

“We recognise this is a difficult time for families and friends, but we are committed to providing the latest information and updates,” he said.

“We thank the families and friends of our residents for their understanding and will continue to work and communicate closely together.”

Images show the facility being fenced off to ensure no visitors can access the home.

NSW recorded 124 new cases from a staggering 85,185 tests on Thursday. Both record numbers.

Of those infected, 48 of those were infectious in the community.

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