Goulburn Base Hospital 'does not have COVID-19 transmission': Health District

In the past few days some residents have received Service NSW coronavirus case alerts for the hospital's emergency department for last Saturday and Sunday.

It advises them that they might have been in contact with a person infectious with COVID-19 and unless otherwise advised by NSW Health, to monitor for symptoms and seek a test if unwell.

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The notification has alarmed some people but a Health District spokesman said while the alerts indicated possible exposure, it did not make someone a close contact or require any action - other than to monitor for symptoms.

"It is expected that there will be COVID-19 cases in emergency departments while case numbers are so high," the spokeswoman said.

"Emergency departments are set up to maintain social distancing and to isolate suspected cases immediately upon arrival. Strict infection prevention measures are in place to protect staff and patients."

She said most patients coming into the District's hospitals were admitted via the emergency department. Further, there had been a number of COVID-19 patients admitted over the past few months.

"There is no evidence of transmission within our facilities at this stage," the spokeswoman said.

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However NSW Health was providing daily advice and support in case there was increased hospitalisation or transmission at any of the sites.

She said the recent alerts were a good reminder for people to avoid emergency departments unless they required urgent medical assistance.

"Anyone with mild COVID-19 symptoms should contact their GP by phone or one of the COVID helplines rather than attend an ED," she said.

Meantime, the District registered 355 positive COVID cases in the 24 hours to 8pm Thursday. This included 91 in Goulburn Mulwaree, 21 in Upper Lachlan, 49 in Yass Valley, 93 in Queanbeyan Palerang, 58 in Bega Valley, 19 in Eurobodalla and 14 in Snowy Monaro.

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Goulburn Mulwaree has a total 529 cases, with 393 of these active, according to NSW Health. There have been 3842 tests in the past fortnight.

Upper Lachlan has a total 98 cases, with 90 being active. In the past fortnight there have been 672 tests.

In related news, the federal health department has confirmed that up until 8am Thursday that Goulburn's Waminda aged care facility had reported two residents and seven staff as COVID-19 positive. Warrigal had reported two COVID positive residents and one staff member. The Post understands that four Warrigal staff now have the virus, with tests pending on three others. At Masonic Village there were two residents and three staff who had returned positive tests, as previously reported by The Post.

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"As cases in the community increase, it is expected there will be more cases in aged care," a departmental spokesman said.

"That is why the government has prioritised the vaccination of aged care residents, including with boosters, along with the mandatory requirement for staff to be vaccinated.

"Facilities must also have infection control training and plans for managing outbreaks to protect the health of residents and staff. Despite the increasing case numbers, to date the Omicron variant has been far milder, including in the elderly."

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