Nine Hunter-based disability workers with COVID-19 worked while infectious across a swathe of group homes

Hunter New England Health confirmed on Wednesday that those nine people worked while unknowingly infections across a range of disability individual and group homes in Lambton, Glendale, Adamstown, Gateshead, Wallsend, Nelson Bay, Hamilton, Maryland and Ashtonfield.

"These cases are all linked to known community clusters," Dr Paul Craven, Medical Controller, HNELHD COVID-19 said in a statement.

"The confirmed cases are safely isolating off-site, and the District is working closely with care providers Connectability, Lifestyle Solutions, Solid Holistic Care, PHM Health, Samaritans, Ability Options and New Horizons to identify any residents and staff who could have been exposed to the infectious workers."

Most residents at the affected homes were partially or fully vaccinated, they said, and they were collaborating with private pathology partners and the care providers to make sure residents were tested "promptly" and in a supportive environment.

"To date, none of the residents or other staff tested have returned positive results. The District is working with all stakeholders to ensure continuity of care, infection control measures are in place and that tailored support services are provided to all isolated residents. If any disability workers require vaccination, there are options available to them through the Commonwealth program, but we have also arranged priority vaccination for any disability workers who would like to access it at the Belmont Hub this week."

Initially, the cases were thought to have affected just one disability support agency in Newcastle which reported three positive COVID-19 cases among staff members servicing group living homes in Glendale, Lambton and Merewether.

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