LGH worker tests positive to virus as other staff quarantined

The infection of a Northern health care worker has raised fears of another potential coronavirus outbreak in a vulnerable, regional area.

ALL recommendations made in a report into a coronavirus outbreak at the North West Regional Hospital need to be implemented urgently to stop Launceston’s public hospital becoming the scene of another cluster, Labor says.

The Launceston General Hospital is on alert after a COVID-19 ward nurse tested positive to coronavirus, sending her colleagues into quarantine

Signage to the coronavirus assessment clinic set up in Launceston. Picture: PATRICK GEE

The worker was one of two new cases confirmed on Tuesday night to take Tasmania’s total to 223.

Deputy Director of Public Health Scott McKeown said the worker, in their 40s, had been working in the COVID ward and was part of a dedicated 10-person team providing care to positive patients.

“Close contacts will be quarantined and colleagues tested before they return to work,” Prof. McKeown said.

Acting Public Health Director Scott McKeown addresses the media during the Tasmanian Government daily COVID-19 update. Picture: Zak Simmonds

“Five have already been tested and the other five will be tested over the next few days.”

He said the worker had not been on the ward while symptomatic.

The development follows a significant outbreak among workers and patients at the North West Regional Hospital which saw the state’s coronavirus tally skyrocket.

Twelve of the 13 COVID-19 deaths in Tasmania are linked to that outbreak which appears to have stemmed from the admission of infected patients who had disembarked from the Ruby Princess cruise ship.

MORE NEWS:

Blackmans Bay man ‘not paying enough attention’ before fatal crash with truck

“Deeply religious” LeClerc was moved around – and the education department knew

Cricket Tasmania forced to axe staff as crisis hits the summer sport

Infected patients from the NWRH were transported to Launceston while the Burnie hospital was closed during deep cleaning.

Now the spotlight has moved to the LGH and health authorities have acted swiftly to try to contain what could be another potential outbreak.

Labor Leader Rebecca White said the State Government needed to urgently implement all recommendations from the interim report to protect both staff and patients.

Rebecca White, Labor leader. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

“Not all the 17 recommendations have been implemented yet and it is crucial that they now particularly now an LGH worker has tested positive,” Ms White said.

“We’re aware that training in the use of PPE is only now being rolled out to all staff across the Tasmanian Health Service, with a meeting today to field staff questions about its use,” she said.

Health Minister Sarah Courtney said the worker had not been on shift for almost a fortnight because they had been unwell.

Ms Courtney said authorities had acted quickly to the news and immediately furloughed other impacted staff.

The second positive case announced last night was a man in his 70s, who had links to the North West Regional Hospital outbreak.