Covid 19 Delta outbreak: another patient at Middlemore hospital tests positive for the virus; attended the emergency today

Another patient from Middlemore Hospital tested positive for Covid-19.

The Department of Health confirmed this evening that the person presented to the emergency department at South Auckland Hospital today.

In a statement released this evening, the ministry said information from the Manukau District Health Board was that the patient had a non-Covid-related problem “and answered all screening questions in the negative, indicating that he hadn’t had any exposure to Covid-19, no symptoms of Covid-19 or been to any place of interest. “

“The patient was assessed in the emergency room and spent a short time in the adult short-stay ward before making the decision to discharge himself,” the statement said.

“The patient consented to a Covid-19 swab but made the decision to leave before the result was available.

“The patient has now been informed of the positive result and is in isolation under public health direction.”

Infection, prevention and control and occupational health staff at Middlemore Hospital are working with the Auckland Regional Public Health Service (ARPHS) to assess the risk of exposure, the ministry said.

All staff in the emergency department and the adult short stay area wore the appropriate personal protective equipment required for that area of ​​the hospital, including N95 masks and goggles.

The risk to these staff members is considered “extremely low”. No staff member is dismissed.

Hospitalized patients who were considered to be close contacts of the patient in question were identified, informed and isolated.

“As is the usual practice for a patient confirmed positive for Covid-19, the ARPHS is undertaking an investigation into the case to ensure that all affected patients are informed and advised on the precautions to be taken.”

The Herald understands that a letter containing information regarding the case has been given to all patients in the emergency department.

A person in the department said he received the letter this evening.

“I came here to be looked after and to get better… so that I wouldn’t get sick with something else that could be avoided if managed well,” the person said.

Earlier this week, a Middlemore man tested positive for Covid-19.

The three patients most at risk of contracting the virus from this man – with whom they shared a room – returned negative tests on the third day.

The man was admitted to Middlemore on Saturday after arriving complaining of abdominal pain, Health Minister Andrew Little said.

When the man fell with a fever, a Covid swab was taken. However, hospital staff called to “leave him where he was” – in a room with other patients – while they waited for the test result.

The man then tested positive, leading 29 staff at Middlemore Hospital to now be considered close contacts and suspended for 14 days.

The patient’s initial screening upon admission consisted of asking if he had been in a Covid-19 place of interest. The man said he hadn’t, meaning there was no indication that he was in danger of having Delta.

Last month, at the start of the Delta epidemic, a staff member in the Middlemore emergency department tested positive for Covid-19.