Wollongong Private Hospital undergoes deep clean of birthing suites after doctor exposed to COVID-19 case
A NSW hospital has undergone a deep clean of some of its birthing suites and tested staff after one of its doctors came into contact with a confirmed COVID-19 case.
In a statement from Ramsay Health Care, Wollongong Private Hospital CEO Steven Rajcany said a doctor had been exposed to a confirmed case in their private practice rooms on Friday afternoon.
The doctor was only found out about the exposure after they had visited the birthing suites of the hospital on Saturday morning.
NSW Health contact tracing has linked the confirmed case to the Bondi cluster.
“The doctor has been tested, and returned a negative result,” the statement said.
“The doctor is continuing with their period of self-isolation for 14 days.”
In a letter to patients, seen by 9News, the doctor was said to be self-isolating at home at the direction of NSW Health but healthy and symptom-free.
“The rooms are being deep cleaned this weekend overseen by NSW Health,” the letter stated.
“We are also working closely with NSW Health to ensure that all patients and staff that were in the rooms on Friday are cared for.
“Patients, support people and staff directly affected have been contacted by NSW Health.”
A spokesperson for the Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District, a division of NSW Health, tonight said contact tracing had identified the doctor had been in contact with COVID-19 cases linked to the Bondi cluster.
NSW today recorded two new locally acquired cases of COVID-19, taking the Sydney outbreak to nine cases.
“Comprehensive contact tracing has taken place,” the spokesperson said.
Two midwives in the hospital were also tested for the virus as close contacts of the doctor. Both have returned negative results.
The statement said one of the midwives was fully vaccinated with the Pfizer vaccine and the second midwife was awaiting their second dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine.
As a precaution, the hospital has undertaken deep cleaning of the identified birth suites and all staff and doctors are now required to wear masks at all times while in the hospital.
All visitors must wear masks at all times whilst in the hospital, with patients now having to wear masks when in public areas of the hospital.
“The safety of our staff, patients and visitors remains our priority,” Mr Rajcany said.
“As of tonight, Sunday June 20, there has been no confirmed cases of COVID 19 linked to the hospital.”
