11 May 2020

Coronavirus: Five Waitākere staff test positive

From Morning Report, 7:43 am on 11 May 2020

At least five healthcare workers from Waitākere Hospital are known to have have tested positive for Covid-19 this month - including one who has been hospitalised.  

The New Zealand Nurses Organisation says it shows there's gaps in how we are protecting those who are on the frontlines caring for others. 

Patients from Auckland's St Margaret's Rest Home were transfered to Waitākere Hospital on 17 and 18 April, and the healthcare workers who have tested positive now are believed to be part of that cluster - which continues to grow. 

Kate Weston from the NZ Nurses Organisation speaks to Susie Ferguson.

Waitematā DHB declined an invitation to speak to Morning Report, but in statement about the St Margaret's cluster it said:

"These recent cases are people who were identified early as close contacts and placed in self isolation.   ...and were previously undetected either because they had very mild symptoms or their symptoms developed during the period of isolation. 

"Although we cannot rule out further spread in these clusters and continue to take strong precautionary measures, there is no evidence of recent infection or spread of the disease."