NSW pharmacy employee tests positive for COVID-19 after visiting multiple hospitals

An employee of a NSW pharmacy has tested positive for COVID-19 just days after visiting a number of Sydney hospitals.

The worker from Ramsay Pharmacy received a positive result on 17 December after having been to North Shore Private Hospital, Castlecrag Private Hospital, Hunters Hill Private Hospital, Northside Cremorne Clinic and Ramsay Pharmacy North Shore.

Ramsay Health Care revealed contact tracing began immediately and the number of those in contact with the case are limited.

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They have been notified and directed to undertake COVID-19 testing and self-isolate for 14 days.

As a precaution the entire pharmacy as well as relevant hospital areas visited by the staff member have undergone a deep clean.

The hospital group also advised a number of changes to visitor information in light of the Avalon outbreak - which is now linked to 68 cases.

"We will temporarily be limiting the number of visitors allowed; however this number will vary from site to site," Ramsay Health Care said in a statement.

"Visitors who reside in the Northern Beaches will not be allowed, however, exceptions will be made on a case by case basis for compassionate reasons and for support persons' for maternity patients."

The following changes have been implemented in all NSW Ramsay Health Care hospitals:

• All visitors and staff to wear masks at all times while in the hospital
• Patients to wear masks when in public areas of the hospital
• Visitors restricted to two visitors per patient per day
• People who live on the Northern Beaches are currently restricted from visiting. Exceptions may be made by the hospital executive on a case-by-case basis for compassionate grounds and for maternity patients' support persons.

Patients who live in the Northern Beaches will be screened, temperature checked and must wear a mask outside their hospital room.

People who live in an identified hotspot, or as a close contact, but are due to come into hospital for treatment must contact their treating doctor or the hospital as soon as possible.

You can get up-to-date information from the Federal Government's Coronavirus Australia app, available on the App Store, Google Play and the Government's WhatsApp channel.

Beyond Blue's Coronavirus Mental Wellbeing Support Service is a 24/7 service free of charge to all Australians. Visit the site here or call 1800512348

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