Important information about novel coronavirus (COVID-19)

23 December 2020

NSW Health has issued a public health alert for Sydney’s Northern Beaches local government area which is currently experiencing a COVID-19 outbreak. For more information about these steps to assist with contact tracing and to contain any potential spread of COVID-19, click here. As at 23 December, there have been 97 confirmed cases in the Avalon cluster, including one Ramsay Pharmacy employee.

On notification of the positive result on 17 December, we commenced rapid contact tracing in conjunction with the NSW Public Health Unit in order to identify any close contacts so they could be immediately advised and isolated. The pharmacy staff member visited the following sites: North Shore Private Hospital, Castlecrag Private Hospital, Hunters Hill Private Hospital, Northside Cremorne Clinic and Ramsay Pharmacy North Shore. All people identified as close contacts were directed to self-isolate for 14 days and all have returned preliminary baseline negative results.

As a precaution, deep cleaning occurred on 17 December in a number of areas, including the entire pharmacy and relevant hospital areas visited by the staff member.

The safety and wellbeing of our patients, visitors, employees and doctors is our highest priority and we will continue to monitor and proactively respond to the latest updates from NSW Health.

The following changes have been implemented in all our NSW hospitals:

• Patients must wear masks whenever outside their hospital rooms
• Patients in Greater Metropolitan Sydney may have one visitor for the duration of their stay. Exceptions may be made by the hospital executive for end-of-life visits or on a case-by-case basis. Visitors under 16 years can be in addition to the one adult visitor, but no more than two at a time.
• Patients in NSW hospitals outside Greater Metropolitan Sydney may have two visitors for the duration of their stay. Exceptions may be made by the hospital executive for end-of-life visits or on a case-by-case basis. Visitors under 16 years can be in addition to the two adult visitors, but no more than two at a time.
• If you are due to come to hospital for treatment, but have been in an identified hotspot or have been identified as a close contact, please contact your treating doctor or the hospital as soon as possible.
• All visitors must wear masks at all times while in the hospital.

People who live or work in an identified COVID-19 hotspot are currently restricted from visiting all NSW hospitals in order to protect the safety and wellbeing of patients, staff and doctors. Any exceptions must be approved by the hospital executive and full personal protective equipment must be worn in these circumstances.

We thank you for your understanding as we navigate this unfolding situation. If you have any queries of concerns, please contact the hospital or your treating doctor to discuss your specific circumstances.