A Wollongong COVID-positive woman is expected to spend her 14 days of isolation in prison after she was allegedly deliberately flouting lockdown.
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Natalie Jane Wright, 35, was refused bail in Wollongong Local Court on Friday after she was arrested at a Keira Street apartment block which is under lockdown.
The building at 75-79 Keira Street was put into a strict two-week lockdown on September 17 where residents are unable to leave due to a high number of COVID positive cases.
Wright, who had contracted the virus on September 19, was allegedly causing problems for health workers, with police officers having to intervene on two occasions, documents tendered to court said.
Police allege Wright had "no regard" for the Public Health Orders because she failed to self-isolate, was not taking the virus seriously and was abusive and aggressive towards other residents.
Wright was allegedly seen leaving her room and approaching the common area of the building to yell abuse and make threats to residents about 3.40pm on September 19.
She allegedly threatened to stab another resident with a screwdriver and was aggressive towards health staff.
Police also allege she spat at other residents while infectious.
An ambulance was called because Wright continued her abuse and threats of violence, before she was taken to hospital for mental health treatment.
The following day she was released and sent back to the Homeless Hub.
The head nurse explained to Wright that she must remain inside her unit for her 14-day isolation period.
But two days later, Wright allegedly continued to go in and out of her unit.
Police were called twice to reinforce the orders for Wright to isolate.
On September 23, Wright allegedly breached the Public Health Orders when she walked into another resident's unit.
The resident called NSW Health for help because Wright was allegedly abusive and threatening her.
Police arrived at Wright's unit a short time later where she resisted officers' attempts to arrest her.
Wright was handcuffed after a short wrestle before she was taken to the police station.
She was charged with not complying with COVID directions and resisting police officers.
Wright pleaded guilty to the resist charge before her lawyer Graeme Morrison said his client disputed the allegations when she applied for bail in court on Friday.
Mr Morrison said Wright had poor phone reception in her room and needed to leave her room to get the attention of staff so she could be provided food and drinks.
He said she denied threatening another resident and had only recently secured her accommodation after being homeless.
Mr Morrison said despite her mental health issues she wished to return to her room to isolate.
Police prosecutor Sergeant David Weaver opposed Wright's bail suggesting it was "quite clear she had no intention by abiding by self isolation".
"In these times, self isolation is of the utmost importance," he said.
Sgt Weaver said the best way to ensure Wright abided by the restrictions was for her to be in custody where correctives staff could manage her isolation.
Wright spoke out during the bail application, strongly denying she had spat at anyone and told Magistrate Michael O'Brien that she was a nurse and understood the importance of isolation.
She claimed she had been remaining in her room.
"I understand fully the importance of isolation," before adding her mother had terminal cancer and she didn't want to kill her.
Magistrate O'Brien refused to grant Wright bail before adjourning the case to October 8.
Meanwhile, in Wollongong Bail Court on Saturday, a man at another lockdown building was allegedly found on the roof of the Piccadilly Motor Inn, in breach of the restrictions.
Bradley Maidman, 40, was arrested on Friday night after he allegedly left his room about 6pm before he walked into a storeroom, climbed out through the window and onto the roof.
Security staff saw him before they called police. Maidman came down and told officers his mental illness caused him to do "something erratic" and he needed "fresh air".
Maidman was charged with failing to comply with self isolation before he was granted bail on Saturday. He must live at his home at the inn and must abide by the Public Health Orders.
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