Williamstown nursing home outbreak

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Goya Dmytryshchak

A Williamstown nursing home is at the centre of a COVID-19 outbreak, as Victoria suffers its deadliest day of the pandemic.

Nineteen cases have been linked to Hazeldean Transition Care in Osborne Street, the Department of Health and Human Services said.

Hazeldean is operated by Western Health and provides transitional care for people from hospitals and others.

Western Health operations executive director Natasha Toohey said both residents and staff were affected.

“A number of COVID-19 cases have been linked to Western Health’s Hazeldean Transition Care facility in Williamstown, with those affected including some residents and some staff,” she said.

“Our thoughts are with all affected during this challenging time.

“Western Health and the Department of Health and Human Services are working together to provide all the necessary supports and to identify the source of each infection through contact tracing.

“Since the first case was identified, Western Health has put an extensive range of measures in place to protect residents and staff.

“These measures have included the immediate testing of residents and staff, onsite support from specialist geriatricians and medical staff and thorough and repeated cleaning of the site.

“Hazeldean is closed to admissions and no visitors are allowed except if extenuating circumstances.”

Victoria recorded 723 new cases of coronavirus and 13 deaths overnight.

Ten of the 13 deaths are linked to known outbreaks in aged care facilities.

Hobsons Bay on Thursday had 79 active cases out of 160.

There are 877 active cases relating to outbreaks in aged care facilities across the state.

Outbreaks in the north west include 111 cases linked to St Basil’s Homes for the Aged in Fawkner, 94 to Estia Aged Care Facility in Ardeer, 90 to Epping Gardens Aged Care in Epping, 56 to Glendale Aged Care Facility in Werribee, 52 to BaptCare Wyndham Lodge in Werribee and 42 to Arcare Aged Care Facility in Craigieburn.