Urgent warning as a coronavirus cluster that suddenly popped up at a psychiatric hospital is investigated
- A coronavirus cluster has appeared at a psychiatric facility in Melbourne
- The first case was discovered in March and has since infected 14 people
- Five patients, five staff members and four close contacts were diagnosed
- Health Minister Jenny Mikakos warned coronavirus recovery was 'fragile'
- Here’s how to help people impacted by Covid-19
Victorian health officials have issued urgent warnings after a new coronavirus cluster appeared at a psychiatric hospital.
The first case of COVID-19 was discovered at the Melbourne facility in late March, and 14 cases stemming from the hospital have been confirmed.
Victorian Health Minister, Jenny Mikakos, told reporters on Friday: 'The department is investigating an outbreak of coronavirus at a private inpatient psychiatric facility'.
She noted the appearance of new coronavirus cases 'shows the fragility of the situation and reinforces that this is not all over yet.'
A new coronavirus cluster has emerged at a psychiatric hospital in Melbourne and infected 14 people including staff, patients and close contacts (file image)
Ms Mikakos confirmed that five patients, five staff members and four household close contacts had all tested positive.
Three victims of the outbreak have been hospitalised and one person is in intensive care.
Victoria's Chief Health Officer, Professor Brett Sutton, told 3AW the cluster is 'a warning sign'.
'Today is a demonstration that you can get explosive outbreaks and sometimes these spill out into the community, so we have to be mindful that things could change in the wrong direction over the next month,' he said.
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Ms Mikakos said further testing would be undertaken to determine if there was any further spread at the facility.
'All patients and staff will be tested today regardless of if they are exhibiting symptoms,' she said.
The Health Minister noted the psychiatric hospital is a 'high-risk setting' and her department were 'working with the facility to put additional quarantine measures in place among staff and patients.'
She said active surveillance and contact tracing measures were also being implemented.
Ms Mikakos urged Victorians to adhere to social distancing measures and practice good hygiene at all times.
Chief Health Officer Professor Sutton said the facility would see a 'significant step up' in their regulations and a 'really significant shutdown of activities.'
He told reporters there would be no group therapy sessions or new admissions and patient transport to other facilities would be limited.
Professor Sutton also said staff members would be assigned to one specific ward and not work at any other facilities.
The psychiatric facility is set to receive a thorough cleaning and decontamination process.
Victoria reported six new cases of COVID-19 overnight and currently has 27 people hospitalised with the virus.
The total number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Australia sits at 6,672.
Victoria's Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton (pictured) said the psychiatric facility would see a 'significant step up' in their regulations and receive a thorough decontamination
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