The second COVID aged care death in the Illawarra this week has sparked concerns about more outbreaks as the state's reopening continues.
A second man in his 90s has died after contracting the disease at IRT's Tarrawanna Aged Care Centre north of Wollongong.
A total of 24 residents and four employees have been linked to the cluster, which also claimed the life of a man in his 90s on Friday.
Mark Sewell, the regional head of Aged and Community Services, said elderly residents at aged care homes were particularly vulnerable as COVID restrictions continued to ease.
"While we're doing everything we can to protect people and apply very strict inspection control arrangements, it is inevitable there will be increased numbers of cases in aged care."
'Really fatigued'
Mr Sewell said employees in the sector were also feeling anxious about the state's reopening.
"They feel really fatigued.They have worked really hard to keep everyone safe for more than 12 months now.
"They have been vaccinated, they're wearing their masks all the time, but they're nervous.
No new cases
IRT chief executive Patrick Reid said all residents and staff at the Tarrawanna facility would continue to be tested as a precaution.
"With support from the virtual community care team, we are monitoring all of the residents in the care centre closely, including those who have tested negative to COVID-19," Mr Reid said.
"We understand this is a challenging situation for residents, their families and our staff.
There were no new positive cases at the centre on Tuesday.
All residents and staff at the company's Links Seaside facility in Wollongong had also tested negative, after a staff member contracted the disease on Monday.
