PHARMACISTS from St Vincent's Private Hospital who dined at a restaurant linked to a known COVID-19 case have returned negative tests for the virus paving the way to return to work this weekend (PD 28 Jul).
In a statement issued this morning, HPS - the company which has been contracted to provide pharmacy services to the hospital - revealed all 18 pharmacy staff members who ate at the Thai Rock restaurant in Potts Point on Fri 17 Jul, have been cleared to return to work later this week.
"In accordance with a NSW Health directive these staff will continue to self isolate until Sat 01 Aug," HPS said.
"St Vincent's Private Hospital and the pharmacy have arrangements in place to continue pharmacy operations with patient and staff welfare the priority."
Sydney radio station, 2GB, drive-time presenter, Jim Wilson, reported that he had been told the NSW Health isolation order affected "all but one of the hospital's pharmacy staff".
The Thai Rock restaurant in Potts Point is owned by the same people as the Thai Rock in Wetherill Park, which has been linked to 85 confirmed cases of COVID-19.
However, investigations by NSW Health have not identified links between the cases at the two restaurants.
People who live in or have visited Potts Point in the last two weeks are being urged to monitor their symptoms and "immediately isolate and get tested if they appear", after a case was linked to The Apollo restaurant, which is also in the suburb.
NSW Health has issued warnings relating to cases at restaurants in Bankstown, Cabramatta, and Mount Pritchard.
The above article was sent to subscribers in Pharmacy Daily's issue from 29 Jul 20
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