A Victorian government minister says reports that nurses have worked at several COVID-19 quarantine hotels in Melbourne are “worrying”.

Important points:

  • The Victorian Transport Secretary said the whistleblower had also taken up the matter through “appropriate channels”.
  • He said working in quarantine hotels was “prohibited”.
  • An airline crew member tested positive in Melbourne’s hotel quarantine

The age reported A whistleblower allegation that private contractor HealthCare Australia asked nurses to work shifts at nine hotels last month due to staff shortages in violation of state government regulations.

The newspaper said the nurse’s claims were backed up by leaked documents such as rosters and emails.

At a press conference this morning, Victorian Transportation Secretary Ben Carroll said the person had also “taken up the matter through appropriate channels”.

Mr Carroll said nurses working in quarantine hotels are “banned” and the whistleblower has taken the right action, “but this is a matter of CQV [COVID-19 Quarantine Victoria]”.

“So I’m sure this won’t be the end,” he said.

“It’s worrying. We know firsthand that one of the main reasons for hotel quarantine and the strictest policies is that employees are working in a facility, not across the street.

“So it’s about that, but I’m very happy to know it’s being followed up.”

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Mr Carroll said he was unaware of the allegations until the media reports were released on Saturday.

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Comment was requested from HealthCare Australia.

A Victorian government spokesman said CQV has a “clear policy on site exclusivity” and employees are not allowed to work at various quarantine sites.

“Most of their work is done through telemedicine, with face-to-face contact with residents limited to COVID-19 tests and essential physical exams or treatments (for example, in emergency situations).”

The spokesman said all on-site staff must conduct daily tests and follow strict infection prevention and control measures, and staff have been asked to report matters.

Meanwhile, Carroll said he could not confirm that international arrivals in Melbourne would resume in a week and that was the prime minister’s responsibility.

Flight crew member tests positive in hotel quarantine

The Ministry of Health had previously announced that for the eighth year in a row, no new locally transmitted cases of coronavirus had been discovered in Victoria.

However, one person had tested positive in the hotel quarantine.

“The only positive case is a member of the airline crew who is quarantined for 14 days in the health hotel,” said a spokesman for the state government.

“We still have airline crew members coming in for round-trip flights and cargo.”

The department said Victoria has six active cases, consisting of five locally acquired cases and one new overseas acquired case.

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Brett Sutton, chief health officer, said in a statement that 1,920 COVID-19 vaccine doses were administered across Victoria yesterday, bringing the state’s total to 12,851 since the program began on Feb.22.

“The first doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine have arrived at the Victoria vaccination centers. An initial 50,800 doses were provided by the Commonwealth,” the statement said.

“In a phased approach, Victorian healthcare will begin delivering this safe, effective and free vaccine early next week.

“Further details will be announced shortly once the agreements with the Commonwealth are finalized.”

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