Hotel quarantine guests may have been accidentally exposed to infections
An investigation is underway after guests at hotel quarantine may have been accidentally exposed to infectious diseases such as HIV and hepatitis by the botched use of a health device.
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Guests may have been accidentally exposed to HIV and other bloodborne diseases while forced to stay in Victoria’s troubled hotel quarantine program.
The Herald Sun can reveal contamination issues have arisen over the use of medical equipment within the hotel quarantine program.
Safer Care Victoria has launched an investigation into the use of a blood glucose monitoring device by medical staff.
The health watchdog is contacting 243 people who were potentially placed at risk of cross-contamination and blood borne viruses including hepatitis B and C, and HIV, while undergoing glucose level tests between March 29 and August 20.
Fears were raised after it emerged finger prick-style monitoring devices intended for use on only one person were used across multiple hotel guests.
Because COVID-19 is not thought to be transmitted via blood it is not believed the improper use of the blood glucose devices has spread coronavirus through quarantine, however Safer Care Victoria acting chief executive officer Associate Professor Ann Maree Keenan said more information was being gathered.
“The health of past quarantine residents is our immediate concern, so arranging screening for them is our absolute priority,” Prof Keenan said.
“The clinical risk is low. But if you are at all worried you had this test – and we have not contacted you yet – please call us.
“Right now, we won’t be able to answer the many questions people will have about how this happened.
“Be assured that Safer Care Victoria is conducting a full review into how and why this device came to be in use.
“I hope that we will be able to bring peace of mind through getting people in for testing, and through the findings of our review.”
Prof Keenan said the clinical risk of infection is low, however confidential testing would be arranged for those who may have been exposed.
She said there was no risk to people who did not have a blood glucose level test, to those who used their own personal device to test their blood glucose level, or for those currently in COVID-19 accommodation.
While needles used to draw blood during the test are destroyed after use, the Herald Sun understands cartridges used to analyse the blood samples have been routinely used on multiple guests throughout the quarantine program.
Safer Care Victoria has urged anyone concerned that they have undergone the test and have not yet been contacted to call a dedicated patient line on 1800 356 061.
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