Tauranga Hospital briefly closed their Orthopaedic Ward yesterday following the identification of a Covid-19 exposure event.

The ward was closed at 1pm yesterday to new admissions and visitors, although the risk to staff was considered low, says a statement from the Bay of Plenty District Health Board.

Altogether, 68 people were identified as close contacts, including 24 patients and 42 members of staff. Two of those patients tested positive and are now being isolated in the new negative pressure ward recently opened at the hospital were they are receiving treatment for Covid-19. The other 21 patients returned negative PCR results, apart from one, who refused a swab and is therefore isolating and being treated as if Covid-19 positive.

All 42 staff members returned negative RAT tests. The BOPDHB say they will continue to be monitored for symptoms.

The ward reopened for admissions and visitors later last night, after the results were returned, says a BOPDHB statement..

'We're very grateful to our amazing staff for the work they are doing at this time to care for the people of our community and help keep everybody safe,” says BOPDHB acting Chief Operating Officer Bronwyn Anstis, whilst also thanking PathLab for urgently processing the PCR tests.

The BOPDHB say events like this are not unexpected as Omicron continues to rise with more exposure events in the community and workplaces, including increasing numbers of close contacts who need to be tested, likely.