More residents at Arcare Craigieburn test positive for COVID-19

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By Laura Michell

A coronavirus outbreak at a Craigieburn aged care facility has grown to include 26 people.

Residents at Arcare Craigieburn have been in isolation since July 12 when the facility was notified that an allied health professional had tested positive for coronavirus.

On Saturday, Arcare chief executive Colin Singh released a statement saying 19 people, including 15 residents, had tested positive for the virus.

But yesterday the cluster grew, with Mr Singh advising that there are now 26 cases of COVID-19 at the facility.

He said 18 residents, six staff members and two allied health professionals have tested positive.

Three residents have been hospitalised.

“We have put in place all appropriate infection control measures to limit the spread of the virus,” Mr Singh said,

“We are providing our full support to Arcare Craigieburn including the provision of additional senior team members at the residence. We are continuing to work collaboratively with the Public Health Unit, both Commonwealth and state agencies and all available outreach services to ensure residents and team members are fully supported.

“We understand this is a very worrying time and we’d like to reassure all families and friends of Arcare Craigieburn that we are putting all available resources in place to effectively manage the situation.”

Mr Singh said a further round of testing would begin today.