But the outbreak stopped at four, said the paper penned by Bay of Plenty DHB staffers.
“No further linked cases have been identified despite extensive contact tracing as well as surveillance testing of the staff and patients connected to the mental health ward.”
It’s likely the virus spread in the ward, the paper said, and “two staff members who had been symptomatic could potentially be the missing link”.
“[The mental health service] had to take difficult decisions: the ward was closed to new admissions, and an agreement with neighbouring hospitals to re-direct admissions was put in place.
“Facing a potential staff shortage, a ‘ward bubble’ was created to ensure business continuity. Staff volunteered to work in the ward bubble while being isolated from their household members.”