COVID-Positive Elderly Woman Forced To Isolate Under A Tree Due To Lack Of Facilities

An elderly woman from the remote community of Yuendumu in Australia was forced to spend three days isolated under a tree after testing positive for COVID-19.

A relative of the woman is now urging the Northern Territory government to set up local quarantine facilities in the area for the community. The Warlpiri woman, who looked after the COVID-positive elderly relative, also has a toddler and a partner on dialysis to take care of. She said she is “stressed and worried” about her child and partner being exposed to the virus.

According to The Guardian, the family had no choice but to let the elderly relative sleep outside the house and isolate for three days under a tree in order to safely isolate from the rest of the family members. The woman taking care of the elderly relative said that although she received information from health officials, she’s unsure of whether the relative will have to stay at home or be taken somewhere else to isolate.

“There should be a quarantine place somewhere in Yuendumu,” the woman said, adding: “Positive people have been staying in their houses, in every house in Yuendumu, that’s how the spread went really fast.”

Families in the community often live in crowded spaces and large groups have to share one bathroom and kitchen. This makes it difficult for COVID-positive patients to isolate. Hence, the woman has suggested turning vacant homes or local public facilities into spaces for quarantine.

“It’s to keep the community and houses safer. That way we don’t have to be stressing out and frustrated, keeping positive people in our yard,” the woman added.

Another Yuendumu resident, Napaljarri Wayne, also spoke about the challenges she faces with 12 adults and seven children living under one roof. Wayne’s family was placed in isolation last week after the 800-member community saw an outbreak about two weeks back. Wayne also tested positive for COVID-19 since her family began isolating, ABC Australia.

Sharing one toilet is hard enough, but Wayne said a storm cut off the home’s hot water and made things even more difficult for the family.

"One lady [here] told me she was very sad, and I told her: 'Be strong'. That's what I said to her: 'Be strong and look after yourself,'" she said.

In a meeting held by the Yuendumu local emergency health response group, it was noted how the “urban model” of isolating at home isn’t working in such remote communities. The group, made of NT police, health workers and key community organizations, had a meeting on Jan. 17. The minutes of the meeting were leaked, The Guardian reported.

“It appears that the outbreak cannot be contained by using the tools (targeted testing) and practices (quarantine/lockout/living with Covid) in place. An approach that is not working for the community and more fit for an urban mainstream environment,” the minutes of the meeting stated. “Need to have an honest and transparency [sic] that it is not working and because of that it is placing everyone at risk. Futile to keep supporting an urban model.”