Major blowout of emergency department wait times in Geelong, Melbourne

An infant — believed to be infected with Covid — has died in Geelong Hospital, which is currently struggling with staff shortages and a blowout in wait times.

An infant has died in Geelong hospital’s emergency department as the state’s health system comes under mounting pressure.

Some patients also waited almost 12 hours to see a doctor in a Geelong emergency department on Thursday.

Victoria’s health department has warned they expect Covid hospitalisations to continue increasing in the coming weeks, as the rise of the more infectious BA.4/BA.5 variant drives a jump in cases.

The state had already recorded its highest number of Covid hospital patients in five months — 592 — on Thursday, but the chief health officer’s update on that same day said further increases were “anticipated”.

Barwon Health’s chief medical officer Dr Simon Woods confirmed the child’s death and said the matter had been referred to the Coroner.

“Barwon Health extends its deepest sympathy and condolences to the child’s family and loved ones,”he said.

“This is a difficult time for all concerned.”

The one-year-old child died on Monday.

The Herald Sun understands the infant was infected with Covid-19 at the time of death.

University Hospital Geelong is experiencing patient wait times of almost 12 hours. Picture: Alison Wynd

Dr Woods said it would be “inappropriate” to speculate on the circumstances of the death.

“We will review the child’s death in detail and assist the Coroner as required,” Dr Woods said.

It came as Barwon Health’s emergency department tracker for University Hospital Geelong warned they were “extremely busy” on Thursday afternoon, reporting the longest wait for a current patient was 11 hours and 49 minutes.

The hospital warned the “typical” wait was between three and nine hours.

The rise of BA.4/BA.5 has placed the system under pressure because the strain has a far greater ability than previous iterations of the virus to evade immunity gathered from infection and immunisation.

This means many people are vulnerable to catching Covid again.

Detections of the Omicron sub-variant grew from a few waste water detections in April to late June, when it was found in more than 50 per cent of Victoria’s clinical genomic samples.

The chief health officer’s update said there was no evidence the strain itself causes more significant illness, and pointed to measures Victorians can take to reduce the spread.

“The wearing of masks and measures to make indoor air safer will have a significant impact in reducing transmission of the BA.4/5 sub-variants,” it said.

“Masks continue to be strongly recommended in shared indoor settings.

“The Department strongly encourages Victorians to remain up to date with their vaccines, in particular people eligible for third and fourth doses, and to stay home if unwell and test for COVID-19.”

University Hospital Geelong emergency department director Dr Belinda Hibble said the health system is under “increasing pressure” and pointed to several factors.

“Workforce shortages are the key challenges for Barwon Health with significant levels of sick leave due to COVID and influenza like illnesses,” she said.

“Staff are also needing to take planned leave after the extended period of working with COVID.

“The significant increase in COVID and flu cases across the community means more people are seeking care including in the Emergency Department and some people requiring admission to hospital.”