Coronavirus Australia: Disaster squad on its way to Victoria

Specialist medical teams built to handle humanitarian disasters are on their way to Victoria as the coronavirus continues to ravage the state’s aged-care homes.

With 769 active cases linked to aged-care homes, Health Minister Greg Hunt has revealed Australian Medical Assistance Teams (AUSMAT) are being sent to Victoria.

He says they are the “best of the best”.

“AUSMAT, which has helped out in other states and territories, will be coming to Victoria,” he said.

“They’ve assisted in quarantine, they’ve assisted in Western Australia, they’ve assisted in activities around the country and they are the best of the best.

“They are the SAS of the medical world. Furthermore, we have put out a call for interstate nursing staff, South Australia in particular has taken the lead on that, they are formulating those resources.”

A man is transported by paramedics

Mr Hunt says the federal government will also send five million masks to Victoria and request interstate nurses.

The masks will be sent to aged care homes in Melbourne, as well as 500,000 face shields.

Pictures by Mark Stewart and Tony Gough