Australia's coronavirus death toll climbs to 72 as woman, 92, dies at COVID-19-riddled nursing home
- The woman died at Anglicare Newmarch House in Sydney's west on Tuesday
- The nursing home had an outbreak after a staffer worked six shifts while sick
- Twenty-eight residents and 14 staff contracted coronavirus as a result
- A 94-year-old and 93-year-old died from COVID-19 at the facility on the weekend
- Learn more about how to help people impacted by COVID
Australia's coronavirus death toll has risen to 72 after a 92-year-old woman died at a COVID-19-riddled nursing home in Sydney.
The elderly woman died at Anglicare Newmarch House in Caddens, in Sydney's west, on Tuesday morning.
Anglicare says the woman had tested positive for COVID-19 and also had multiple health issues, although the cause of death is yet to be formally determined.
Twenty-eight residents and 14 staff contracted COVID-19 after an employee with a 'scratchy throat' worked six at the facility for six consecutive days.
The elderly woman died at Anglicare Newmarch House (pictured) in Caddens, in Sydney's west, on Tuesday morning
Twenty-eight residents and 14 staff at Newmarch House in Caddens (pictured) contracted COVID-19 after a worker with a 'scratchy throat' worked six at the facility for six consecutive days
Anglicare Sydney CEO Grant Millard said the woman's family has his 'deepest sympathies'.
'This is a very sad time not only for the immediate family but also for other residents and staff,' Mr Millard said.
'Please keep everyone in your thoughts and prayers as we continue to support the families through what is a difficult and challenging time.'
The woman is the third person from the facility to die after testing positive to the virus.
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A 94-year-old man died on Sunday, following the death of a 93-year-old man on Saturday.
Her death brings the state's toll to 31 and 72 nationally.
The outbreak prompted NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant to warn even those with mild symptoms should avoid work and get tested.
'It doesn't matter how mild those symptoms are - runny nose, sore throat, or just a scratchy throat in this case. Please don't go to work,' she said.
Ms Chant said the worker was distressed to learn that she spread the illness to elderly people, who are the most vulnerable to death or serious complications from COVID-19.
'I have spoken to the director of the public health unit and this person is absolutely mortified,' she told reporters.
Some 6,644 people have been infected by coronavirus - 4,685 of those have recovered.
Meanwhile, six new cases of COVID-19 were confirmed in NSW on Tuesday, taking the state total to 2969 with 21 people in intensive care.
It's the second consecutive day in which six new cases have been confirmed.
Chief Medical Officer Professor Brendan Murphy reminded Australians to avoid nursing homes if they feel ill.
'Protection is best achieved by ensuring that nobody, nobody, enters an aged care facility if they are in any way unwell,' he told reporters in Canberra.
'No staff member, no visitor, no-one coming in for any other reason.'
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