Tragedy as care home resident, 92, dies from COVID-19 taking the national death toll to 98
- Loving grandma, 92, becomes the 17th Newmarch resident to die of COVID-19
- Fay Rendoth had been cut off from her family for weeks after testing positive
- Her devastated family paid tribute to the much-loved grandmother of eight
- The care home’s outbreak began after an infected staff member went to work
- Here’s how to help people impacted by Covid-19
A beloved grandmother living in the embattled Newmarch House care home has become the 17th resident to die from the deadly coronavirus.
Fay Rendoth, 92, has been remembered by her loved ones after she died on Friday, bringing Australia’s national coronavirus death toll to 98.
Her granddaughter Savannah Robinson said her beloved grandmother was dedicated to her family, but was unable to see them before her death.
Anglicare’s Newmarch House in western Sydney has become a coronavirus cluster, after an infected staff member went to work for six days despite having symptoms.
‘In my memories of her she just gave a lot to family,’ Ms Robinson told the Sydney Morning Herald.
‘In her final days we couldn’t be there by her bed, couldn’t sit there and talk to her.
Fay Rendoth, 92, (pictured) has been remembered by her loved ones after she died on Friday, bringing Australia’s national coronavirus death toll to 98.
17 residents of Anglicare’s Newmarch House (pictured) in western Sydney have now died from coronavirus
‘We were somewhat comforted by knowing Newmarch staff went in and sang to her, read the bible to her. The hard thing about this virus is it’s so isolating.’
Mrs Rendoth leaves behind three daughters, eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, whom she had spent her final weeks speaking to on the phone.
Her husband of more than 70 years, Ken, died five years ago.
The outbreak, identified on April 11, quickly spiralled out of control, with nearly 70 residents and staff members testing positive for the virus.
The tragedies have prompted urgent calls from medical officials for workers, especially those who care for vulnerable people, to stay home if they feel even mildly ill.
A man is seen walking near Sydney’s Dee Why beach on April 23 (pictured) wearing a face mask
NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard said workers should avoid leaving home if they feel even slightly unwell, particularly if they work with vulnerable people.
‘We have talked about this numerous times but now it appears that some staff are still going to work, even when they have symptoms,’ he said.
The female worker was said to be ‘mortified and distraught’ that she had been the catalyst for the cluster, which spread quickly through the vulnerable residents.
‘Please don’t go to work if you’re feeling sick. Just don’t go.’
NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian previoiusly said the situation at Newmarch House was ‘horrific’ and accused the care provider of ‘unacceptable’ management of the home.
‘The Federal Government [has] involved the Aged Care Assurance Advocacy Association to deal with the matter,’ she said.
‘Because what’s happening there isn’t acceptable and unfortunately you do notice a difference in the way people who run these aged care homes across the nation are dealing with the issue.
‘This particular operator has been left wanting on a number of levels.’
So far, there have been 98 deaths related to the coronavirus in Australia, with 6,913 confirmed cases