Man who used nebuliser in Holiday Inn calls for independent review into handling of his case

The hotel quarantine guest whose nebuliser use is being blamed for the Holiday Inn virus outbreak has called for an independent review into the incident.

An independent investigation is looming into the use of a nebuliser in hotel quarantine after the returned traveller blamed for spreading coronavirus called for a federal review into what went wrong.

The 38-year-old man, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, has contacted the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care (ACSQHC) to look into his case.

The state’s public health team are working under the assumption the Holiday Inn outbreak began because the man became infectious with the UK strain of coronavirus and the device helped to spread it to staff and other residents.

He has previously claimed he told staff about his asthma and the medical device prior to going into quarantine despite statements by Premier Daniel Andrews that the nebuliser had been snuck inside.

Speaking to the Herald Sun, the man said he did not have faith in the Victorian government to investigate the issue.

“This shouldn’t happen to people,” he said.

“I’ve asked for the inquiry because I’m still disappointed by the fact this could happen and the government subsequently has not formally apologised.

”I’ve spoken to the ACSQHC’s chief executive Debora Picone multiple times … They need to speak to everyone involved.

“It seems entirely possible we did actually catch it in inside quarantine.”

The Holiday Inn has been closed for cleaning following a virus outbreak. Picture: David Crosling/NCA NewsWire.

The man tested negative to the virus before boarding the international flight, arrived in Victoria with two family members and tested negative again on his third day in quarantine.

He had been having breathing issues, partly because of issues with the airconditions system, but was assured he did not have the virus because of his negative test.

Days later, and after testing positive, he said he was distressed to see his nebuliser was publicly linked to the outbreak while he lay in a hospital bed in intensive care.

“Before you start that rant maybe it would be good to speak to the person in question,” he said.

“It was hard just trying to find someone who would actually speak to me about my side of the story

“I ended up calling the health department’s public phone number and put on hold.

“What made it ridiculous is having to do it from ICU while you’re supposed to be resting and recovering.”

Australian Commission on Quality and Safety in Healthcare chief Debora Picone has already spoken with the man, as well as COVID-19 Quarantine Victoria boss Emma Cassar, who indicated she and her team would co-operate fully with the probe.

The Herald Sun understands senior doctors will be appointed to review the incident, with the commission able to refer any serious findings to the appropriate regulatory agency for potential action.

The investigation is expected to be an “end-to-end” look at what went wrong, and will take up to a month to complete.