Cluster label ‘breach of privacy’

Alzheimers Marlborough has described being labelled a Covid19 ‘‘cluster’’ by the Ministry of Health as a breach of privacy.

On Tuesday, the ministry revealed two Covid-19 clusters were linked to Marlborough, one relating to an air force rugby trip to the United States and the other linked to Alzheimers Marlborough.

According to the ministry website, the Alzheimers Marlborough ‘‘cluster’’ involved six people. However, Nelson Marlborough Health has since confirmed only one was directly involved with the organisation.

Alzheimers Marlborough manager Dianne Tolley said the cluster label was a ‘‘breach of privacy and confidentiality’’, causing unnecessary stress among clients and carers.

‘‘It is difficult enough for carers in the current lockdown without the additional worry that their loved ones may have been exposed to the virus,’’ she said.

The organisation confirmed a client attended the centre, on Blenheim’s Wither Rd, on two consecutive days more than two weeks ago, before testing positive for Covid-19. The client had a family member who had recently returned from overseas.

Alzheimers Marlborough was advised of the positive test by the Medical Officer of Health on March 21, and steps were made to identify clients, staff and volunteers who had been in contact. ‘‘These people were all contacted by Public Health... and advised to self-isolate,’’ Tolley said.

The centre was immediately closed down. Tolley said Tuesday was the last day of the 14-day selfisolation for the clients, carers and staff, and none had since tested positive for the virus.

‘‘All measures advised by Public Health, such as restrictions on people entering the building, ongoing wiping down of surfaces and hand washing were strictly enforced,’’ she said.

‘‘We have not been in any way responsible for a cluster and should definitely not be identified as such.’’

By Wednesday, the Ministry of Health had removed both Marlborough examples from the data tabling ‘‘significant’’ clusters. The ministry said it had changed its definition of a cluster.

‘‘The Ministry of Health is now classifying clusters as having more than 10 cases,’’ a spokeswoman said.

A Nelson Marlborough Health spokeswoman confirmed all six cases identified in the Alzheimers Marlborough cluster had come from the primary case related to travel. However, only one of the five secondary cases was linked to Alzheimers Marlborough.

All cases were residents of Marlborough and in self-isolation at home.

A second cluster revealed on Tuesday related to an air force rugby team and had affected nine people.

A New Zealand Defence Force spokesperson said that since returning, the positive cases in the rugby team had been selfisolating at NZDF locations and private residences.

A Nelson Marlborough Health spokesperson said only three of the air force-related cases remained in Marlborough.