Tate Papworth
Two patients and 16 staff members have been forced into home isolation after a health worker at the Sunshine Hospital and Joan Kirner Women’s and Children’s Hospital tested positive to COVID-19.
Western Health chief executive Russell Harrison said all precautionary measures were put into action.
“Our thoughts are with our colleague and they are being provided with the necessary support,” Mr Harrison said.
“The safety and wellbeing of staff and patients are Western Health’s top priorities.
“We took immediate action in response to the positive COVID-19 result, including contact tracing and notifying DHHS.”
The source of transmission is not yet known.
It comes on a day when Victoria recorded 73 new cases of the virus.
Across Brimbank there are currently 40 active cases, the second highest in the state.
Five additional staff members have been linked to an outbreak at Al Taqwa College, taking the total to eight staff at the school. Extensive contact tracing is under way and appropriate testing will be undertaken.
The cases are linked to previous outbreaks in Sunshine West and Truganina.
A new case has also been linked to the outbreak at the Coles Chilled Distribution Centre in Laverton, taking the total of that outbreak to six, while a positive test also emerged from Creekside College in Caroline Springs
The “unacceptably high” number of cases prompted Premier Daniel Andrews to reimpose a stay at home lockdown across a number of Brimbank suburbs.
The reimposed rules return from 11.59pm tonight for residents within the postcodes 3012, 3021, 3032, 3038, 3042, 2046, 3047, 3055, 3060, 3064.
Residents will only be able to leave their homes for four reasons – work and school, care and caregiving, exercise and shopping for food and other essential items.
Mr Andrews said those who leave for any other reason risk an on-the-spot fine.
Mr Andrews said booze bus-style checking points will be put in place to ensure people aren’t breaching restrictions.
“Victoria Police will be actively enforcing these suburban lockdowns. Patrolling these communities,” Mr Andrews said.
“If people are out of home, they will be asked politely why and if it’s not for one of the four reasons, on-the-spot fines will be issued.
“These are extraordinary steps. These are things we haven’t had to do in the past, but if we don’t take these steps now rather than locking down 10 postcodes, we’ll be locking down every postcode.”
