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The staff at the Auckland rest home wobbles after a woman in her 70s who lived on her premises died of Covid-19.
The Health Ministry confirmed that she died on Friday after being taken to Waitākere Hospital from CHT’s Rescue Home and St. Margarets Hospital in Te Atatū.
The woman was in her 70s and suffered from underlying health problems, said director-general of health, Dr. Ashley Bloomfield. She died on Monday.
There have now been 13 deaths from Covid-19 in New Zealand.
RICKY WILSON / THINGS
Ambulances transferring patients to Waitākere Hospital on Friday night.
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* Coronavirus: CHT St Margarets residents rest at home transferred to hospital
On Friday, the Waitematā District Health Board said that about 20 residents of CHT St Margarets Hospital and the Rest House in Te Atatū would be transferred to Waitākere Hospital to help with staffing shortage issues.
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CHT Chief Executive Max Robins said Stuff Tuesday was a difficult time for house staff, several of whom had been removed as a precautionary measure after close contact with confirmed cases.
“It has been pretty awful for the staff.”
She then provided a brief statement confirming the death of the positive Covid-19 woman on Monday.
“It is with great sadness that we can confirm that one of our CHT St Margarets residents passed away yesterday at Waitakere Hospital. This resident was a 70-year-old woman who was positive for Covid-19 and who also had underlying health problems.
“Our entire team would like to extend our sincere sympathy to your family during this difficult time.”
He declined to provide more information, citing family privacy.
Several of the residents who were transferred on Friday, including the woman who died, tested positive for the virus.
There are now 25 cases of the virus linked to the rest of the home.
On Saturday, the DHB said that some of the now 15 residents who had been transferred needed medical assistance.
RICKY WILSON / THINGS
Staff wore personal protective equipment while transferring residents.
Robins said staff and residents confirmed as positive or probable cases are now part of a larger group.
“As with other groups across the country, this includes people from CHT St Margarets and also from the community, all linked by broadcast,” Robins said in a statement to Checkpoint.
Several St Margarets staff members had been removed and placed in preventive self-isolation due to close contact with confirmed cases of Covid-19, the DHB said.
“This has affected the facility’s ability to maintain a complete roster of personnel.
“Residents are intended to return to St. Margarets once staff have returned to work after isolation.”
Waitematā DHB said that the thoughts and prayers of his staff are with the woman’s family and friends at this time.
“We are all saddened by her loss and we ask that the privacy of the family be respected as they mourn the death of their loved one,” said the DHB.
