How the experts prevent COVID-19 from leaking out of Darwin’s international quarantine facility

Frontline workers at Australia’s premier international coronavirus quarantine facility are tested daily and even filmed as they remove their protective gear under painstakingly precise processes to prevent the virus leaking into the NT community.

FRONTLINE workers at Australia’s premier international coronavirus quarantine facility are tested daily and even filmed as they remove their protective gear under painstakingly precise processes to prevent the virus leaking into the NT community.

The NT News can reveal strict protocols at the international wing of Darwin’s Howard Springs quarantine facility, officially named the Centre for National Resilience, include daily training for all workers and rules that ensure catering staff are always accompanied by clinicians when delivering meals.

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Granting media access to the facility for the first time, Centre for National Resilience general manager and AUSMAT mission lead Abigail Trewin said people needed to be reminded that the team at Howard Springs was “doing the best we possibly can to stay safe”.

A Swabbing team at the the NCCTRC/AUSMAT sections of the Howard Springs Corona virus quarantine Facility on the outskirts of Darwin in The Northern Territory. Picture GLENN CAMPBELL

This comes as debate rages on the eastern seaboard about Australia’s hotel quarantine capabilities after a mutant strain of COVID-19 leaked into the Queensland community via a cleaner.

The NT is set to steadily ramp up its international intake from 500 to 850 per fortnight but Ms Trewin said the process would not be rushed before extra, highly experienced staff were brought on board.

Ms Trewin said staff at the Centre for National Resilience, all 95 of them, undertook rapid antigen testing every day and the “gold standard” lab processed tests each week, though this was due to be ramped up to once every three days.

Clinical Nurse Theresa Clasquin conducts PPE drill at the NCCTRC/AUSMAT sections of the Howard Springs Corona virus quarantine Facility on the outskirts of Darwin in The Northern Territory. Picture GLENN CAMPBELL

The rapid antigen test, which churns out a result in 10 minutes, is designed to detect coronavirus proteins and has 81-85 per cent sensitivity.

The PPE donning and doffing process is stringently documented and includes filming and photography to identify and fix any potential cracks in the system. Audits are conducted regularly.

Crews at the international wing are forbidden from crossing over to the domestic, NT government-run section of Howard Springs and spaces are not shared.

Security staff are barred from the “hot zone”, instead tasked with detailing who enters the high-risk parts of the facility and at what times.

PPE Donning station where staff don clean PPE at the NCCTRC/AUSMAT sections of the Howard Springs Corona virus quarantine Facility on the outskirts of Darwin in The Northern Territory. Picture GLENN CAMPBELL

There were 482 international arrivals in quarantine yesterday, with the next flight due to arrive from London on Saturday. Two flights from Delhi are scheduled for next week.

Repatriated Australians are met by a clinical team at the RAAF base and swabbed on arrival, with anyone displaying symptoms separated from the group and individually transported to the facility.

Anyone who tests positive in quarantine is moved to a section of the facility equipped with a dedicated medical team.

Ms Trewin said emotions ran high for travellers in the first four days, with some returning home after spending months fighting to secure a flight.

“Making sure we keep ourselves safe but still get Aussies home is why I turn up to work every day,” she said.

PPE drill at the NCCTRC/AUSMAT sections of the Howard Springs Corona virus quarantine Facility on the outskirts of Darwin in The Northern Territory. Picture GLENN CAMPBELL

“Nothing is infallible, there is always a risk and a chance of people becoming unwell, but I can almost guarantee that no one does that deliberately.

“Our job needs to be identifying it fast, making sure we are reporting early and making sure we get on top of it.”