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A nurses union is calling for an urgent investigation into New Zealand’s managed isolation facilities, citing concerns about understaffing, lack of resources and personal protective equipment.
The plea comes after two nurses working at the Sudima Hotel in Christchurch, which is used to isolate 235 Russian and Ukrainian fishermen, tested positive for Covid-19.
A spokeswoman for the Health Ministry said Tuesday that both nurses were “comfortable.”
New Zealand Nurses Union kaiwhakahaere (co-director) Kerri Nuku said it has been receiving growing concerns from nurses working at MIQ facilities.
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“The same [concerns] The ones we talked about in the early days seem to still be relevant today. “
He said that many of the guests at the MIQs were requiring more intensive treatment than just being monitored and was causing “high pressure” environments for health personnel.
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New Zealand Nurses Union kaiwhakahaere (co-director) Kerri Nuku says she has been receiving growing concerns from nurses working at MIQ.
“Now that we have two healthcare workers who are infected, it is really difficult to instill the confidence that they are safe when they are at work.
“Every time they go and do a search, there is enormous pressure and it is quite a stressful situation to be in it constantly, knowing that you have a great responsibility in terms of protecting the border.”
Nuku said a review is needed to ensure healthcare personnel are protected, adequately supported and resourced, and to ensure guests receive the “quality of care they deserve.”
“Two health workers are too many, so we have to consider a health system review.
“This is a marathon, it is not a quick fix and we must remember that there are people at the end of those surgical masks. We have to make sure they have mental support and that we care about their well-being. “
FIRST / RNZ
Two workers at Sudima’s managed isolation facility in Christchurch tested positive for Covid-19.
The second community Covid-19 case working at the Christchurch isolation facility at the Sudima Hotel near Christchurch Airport visited a chemist in the Christchurch shopping center.
The person visited the chemical warehouse at the South City Mall on Colombo St in downtown Christchurch between 3.52 p.m. and 4.03 p.m. Friday, the Christchurch District Health Board (CDHB) said in a statement on Wednesday.
Dr. Ramon Pink, a health medical officer, said the person was in the store for a “short period of time” and did not have any close contact with other people.
JOHN KIRK-ANDERSON / Stuff
An infected person visited the chemical warehouse at the South City Mall on Colombo St in downtown Christchurch between 3.52pm and 4.03pm on Friday.
He said the person who checked into the store using the Covid Tracer app and everyone else who entered the store during that time had received an alert from the Ministry of Health on Wednesday morning.
“We are aware that people may be concerned if they were in the store at the same time as this person, although the risk to other shoppers and staff is considered extremely low.
“It is important to emphasize that this person did not have any symptoms when he was in the store, and at that time he did not know that he would later test positive for Covid-19.”
He said anyone who is concerned and would like to get tested for Covid-19 should visit a testing center.
Queue forms in the test center pop-up hub
There are two centers in Christchurch, one at 147 Orchard Rd and one at Whānau Ora Community Clinic at 250 Pages Rd in Wainoni. Both are open from 9:00 a.m. M. At 4:00 p. M., Seven days a week.
STACY SQUIRES / Stuff
Christchurch. Stacy Squires. Things. Covid managed the isolation facilities at the Sudima Hotel near Christchurch Airport.
An additional pop-up center outside Princess Margaret Hospital opened at 11:30 a.m. M. From Wednesday.
At noon there was a queue of about 25 cars. Among those examined was retiree Andrew Thomson. He lives in Beckenham and visited Countdown on Sunday, the same day the infected health worker shopped there while having symptoms.
Although Thomson had no symptoms, he was tested as a precautionary measure, which took about five minutes. “It’s a little scary that he’s back,” he said of the virus. The Countdown reopened after a deep cleaning.
Joseph Johnson / Stuff
A woman gets tested for Covid-19 at an pop-up center at Princess Margaret Hospital on Wednesday.
Dr. Hannah Gordon, clinical leader of the Canterbury Primary Response Group, which has oversight of the test kits, said about 50 people were screened in the first hour.
“We have these systems to respond very quickly and this shows that it works,” he said.
She said there was no amount of “overt concern” for those being screened.
“I think it’s a concern and it’s more of a demonstration that people now know what to do, so when they think there’s a concern, they’ll come forward and get tested, and that’s really good.”
Kitt Kaser, who works in construction, went to Countdown on Sunday and was tested to be “on the safe side.”
“I was there from a quarter to twelve for about 30 to 40 minutes doing my shopping.”
He learned of the case on Monday and, although he felt fine, he wanted to rule out Covid, he said.
Pink said the pop-up center at Princess Margaret Hospital was expected to open only on Wednesday, but could remain open for a longer period if there was “substantial demand.”
The Health Ministry announced Tuesday night that the second person working in the quarantine wing of the Sudima Hotel at Christchurch Airport had tested positive for coronavirus.
The wing houses 31 Russian and Ukrainian sailors infected with the virus.
They will remain in controlled isolation and quarantine in Christchurch until at least Friday after the two health workers who were in contact with them contracted Covid-19.
They won’t leave until authorities get to the bottom of how the two health workers contracted the virus.
