Labor Senator Katy Gallagher in full PPE after daughter catches Covid

Labor Senator Katy Gallagher has resorted to wearing full PPE at home after her teen daughter caught Covid.

A heartbroken politician says her teenage son is sitting in his room just “waiting” to contract Covid-19 after his sister tested positive for the virus.

ACT Senator Katy Gallagher, who is fully vaccinated, is worried her 16-year-old son will catch the virus from her daughter Evie, 14, while the family currently isolate in their Canberra home.

Senator Katy Gallagher showing what life is like living with a Covid-infected child. Picture: Instagram

“It’s a real juggle, we’re trying to keep him away and care for her, and make it work,” she said.

“But it’s really difficult and, to some extent, I’m not sure if we’ll be able to protect him, which is heartbreaking while we’re trying to care for her.”

Ms Gallagher said that she felt there had been a “failure” in Australia’s response to the virus by leaving children ­vulnerable.

“Evie is just like thousands of other young Australians and, as a parent, I just feel like we’ve been let down,” she said.

ACT recorded 22 new cases of Covid-19 on Wednesday, bringing the total number in the territory’s current outbreak to 67.

There are now 12,500 people in quarantine in the ACT, including 10,500 people who are close contacts of known cases.

The huge demand for testing has prompted ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr to request assistance from the Australian Defence Force, including for extra staff.

“I want to hold out hope for people that we will get through this, but we need to look after each other,” he said.

Canberrans reported waiting more than six hours to receive a test on Wednesday, a week into the now three-week-long lockdown.

Originally published as Labor Senator Katy Gallagher in full PPE after daughter catches Covid