Major hospital emergency is shut down over fears of a coronavirus outbreak with ambulance redirected and patients evacuated
The emergency department of a busy Sydney hospital has been shut down after a coronavirus-positive patient attended while displaying symptoms.
The Mount Druitt Hospital emergency department in western Sydney is closed until at least Monday morning after undergoing deep cleaning on Sunday night.
Ambulances were diverted to other hospitals, including nearby Blacktown.
Footage shows staff dressed in personal protection equipment loading patients into ambulances to be transferred to other medical facilities.
Mount Druitt Hospital's emergency department was shut down on Sunday night, where patients were loaded into ambulances and transferred to other hospitals
Western Sydney Local Health District said a patient with coronavirus symptoms presented to the emergency department on Saturday.
The patient was tested and moved to an area of the department reserved for suspected coronavirus cases.
'A positive Covid-19 result was received on the evening of January 10 and the patient was transferred to Westmead Hospital for treatment,' it told Daily Mail Australia.
'The Mount Druitt emergency department is undergoing deep cleaning.
'Ambulances have been diverted to nearby hospitals, including Blacktown Hospital while this occurs.
'The deep clean is expected to be completed by 9am Monday.'
GPs were urged to redirect patients who require hospital treatment to Blacktown.
Paramedics were urged to bypass Mount Druitt Hospital and transport patients to other nearby hospitals. Pictured are ambulances outside the emergency department on Sunday
'There has been doctors, nurses and security personnel available in an ambulatory care space for any patients who present directly to the hospital’s emergency department,' the health district added.
Investigations are underway to identify and assess potential close contacts, including staff and patients.
Anyone deemed to be at risk of possible exposure will be contacted by the Public Health Unit.
New South Wales recorded three new cases linked to known clusters on Sunday.
Mount Druitt Hospital is expected to reopen its busy emergency department on Monday morning