'Seriously ill children... dying kids': Mum who spent six days in a coronavirus-infected children's ICU ward lifts the lid on the horrors inside
- Stefani Doree's baby Antonia stayed in ICU ward which had COVID-19 outbreak
- Antonia spent six days in Butterfly Ward in Melbourne Royal Children's Hospital
- Four people including a baby and staff member were diagnosed with COVID-19
- Mrs Doree revealed children were struggling in the coronavirus-stricken ward
- Hospital currently has seven patients, 17 staff and three parents in self-isolation
A Melbourne mother has revealed the grim reality of life inside the intensive care unit of a children's hospital after a coronavirus outbreak.
Stefani Doree's daughter Antonia spent six days in the Butterfly Ward at the Royal Children's Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in Melbourne.
Four people in the ward were diagnosed with COVID-19 while Antonia was kept there: a newborn baby, two parents and a staff member.
The 18-day-old baby has since been taken home into isolation.
Mrs Doree told 9News of the life-and-death struggles inside the coronavirus-stricken ward.
Stefani Doree's baby Antonia (pictured) spent six days in Butterfly Ward in Melbourne Royal Children's Hospital where there was a coronavirus outbreak
'They were seriously ill children. Dying. Dying kids. They were really, really unwell,' she said on Tuesday.
All babies, staff and parents in the Butterfly Ward were tested for coronavirus on Tuesday, with all the babies testing negative for the disease.
The hospital currently has seven patients, 17 staff and three parents in self-isolation from exposure to COVID-19.
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'We've had a very challenging set of circumstances in the last 24 hours at the Royal Children's Hospital,' Victorian Health Minister Jenny Mikakos told reporters.
'I know that this particular incident is one that would have caused a great deal of distress to many.'
Despite the outbreak, Mrs Doree said she was unable to find out through the hospital and authorities whether her family was in danger.
Mrs Doree (pictured) revealed children were struggling in the coronavirus-stricken ward
'The news had more information than DHHS and the hospital,' Mrs Doree said.
'One would think they would've come to my house and tested my entire family and said "stay here till we come back to you". No, it was up to me to chase them and get nowhere.'
The Royal Children’s Hospital said in a statement it was working with the DHHS, patients and families in their response.
'These cases were notified at different times and a connection between all four has not been confirmed,' the statement reads.
'We extend our thoughts and wishes to each of those members of our RCH community.
'We alerted all of Butterfly team and inpatient families as soon as we became aware of these cases and have maintained regular contact.
'We continue to work closely with the Department of Health and Human Services to finalise contact tracing for these Butterfly Ward cases and ensure the highest level of response.'
The Royal Children’s Hospital (pictured) currently has seven patients, 17 staff and three parents in self-isolation
