Coronavirus outbreak at Melbourne's The Alfred hospital as EIGHT staff test positive and hundreds more go into isolation
- Eight staff at The Alfred hospital in Melbourne tested positive to coronavirus
- Contact tracers still to determine how many other staff could be impacted
- Hundreds of people connected to the hospital are now in self isolation
Eight staff at The Alfred hospital in Melbourne have tested positive to coronavirus, forcing hundreds more into self isolation.
Victoria became the coronavirus capital of Australia on Saturday when a further 216 cases were diagnosed.
Contact tracers are still trying to determine how many other staff at The Alfred may have come into contact with the infected staff members.
Five of the staff who have been diagnosed are not believed to be linked. Initial testing suggests they acquired the virus in the community.
The three other coronavirus cases were picked up through contact tracing and immediately asked to self-isolate.
Currently, no patients have contracted COVID-19 within the hospital, a spokesman confirmed.
The Alfred has not confirmed the roles of the staff members who have tested positive.
Eight staff at The Alfred hospital in Melbourne have tested positive to coronavirus , forcing hundreds more into self isolation
Daily Mail Australia has been told The Alfred is not the only hospital struggling to contain an outbreak in Melbourne.
A source told Daily Mail Australia the virus has spread within The Austin hospital, which has asked families of patients to stay at home and delay any visits.
The hospital and DHHS has been contacted for comment.
Another source told Daily Mail Australia it was only a matter of time before the virus hit The Alfred again.
The source claimed the hospital had failed to maintain hygiene levels throughout the crisis.
‘The place is filthy,’ the source said.
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The infectious diseases ward at The Alfred (pictured), which is currently housing COVID-19 cases, has been effectively locked down in an attempt to stem the spread of the virus
The Alfred's Chief Executive Professor Andrew Way released a statement urging the community to assist health workers in minimising the spread of COVID-19.
'Alfred Health, and our community, appreciate the work staff are doing to care for patients with COVID-19, and we take every measure to keep them safe,' Professor Way said.
He said the hospital was following rigorous cleaning processes to ensure the safety of all staff and patients.
'As a community we must take collective responsibility for ourselves and others. We need everyone to follow the stringent protocols in place; they are there to keep us safe,' Professor Way said.
'We cannot afford to become complacent. And as this pandemic demonstrates - behaviour really matters.'
The infectious diseases ward, which is currently housing COVID-19 cases, has been effectively locked down in an attempt to stem the spread of the virus.
Anybody entering the ward must register their details with a concierge to ensure they can track their movements.
A medical worker is pictured performing a COVID-19 test as Melbourne re-enters stage three lockdown restrictions
Shoppers in Melbourne are pictured wearing facemasks as testing in the metropolitan are ramps up
A hospital spokesman said any staff member who had close contact with a person diagnosed with COVID-19 would be immediately sent for testing and suspended from duties.
They are also housing staff with vulnerable family members in hotels to ensure they are not putting anybody at risk.
Victoria now has more diagnosed cases of COVID-19 than any other state in Australia with 3,560 cases, 275 more than in New South Wales, which has so far recorded 3,285 cases.
On Saturday, a man in his 90s died of the deadly respiratory infection in Victoria, taking the state's death toll to 23.
Thirty of Saturday's new cases are linked to known outbreaks, while the remaining 186 are still under investigation to determine their origin.
There are currently 49 Victorians in hospital with coronavirus, including 15 who remain in intensive care.
During his press conference, the state's Premier Daniel Andrews urged the public to follow health directives and stay at home.
Victoria has suffered another coronavirus death on Saturday, and 216 new cases overnight
'This is not an ordinary weekend. It is anything but that,' he said.
'You've got to be in your home if you are in the metropolitan Melbourne or the Mitchell Shire.
'I wouldn't want anyone in Melbourne to think this isn't relevant to you. It is relevant to your family, your street, your community and all of us. We've all got a part to play.'
There are just four reasons people living in locked down suburbs should leave their homes.
Those reasons are:
- Essential shopping
- Work or study
- Giving or receiving medical care
- Daily exercise
