Royal Children’s Hospital: child’s COVID-19 case unclear

Health Minister Martin Foley said on Monday it appeared the child had low levels of infection, and tests were being undertaken of other contacts to establish the source.

“It doesn‘t appear to have come from the family, nor does it appear to have come from the rest of the unit,” Mr Foley told 3AW radio on Monday.

The hospital says it’s undertaking contact tracing in conjunction with the Department of Health and Human Services.

Staff already identified as close contacts of the patient are undergoing the required testing and self-quarantine.

Asymptomatic testing of other staff who have spent time on the ward, along with inpatients and their families, is also under way.

“We continue to work closely with the Department of Health and Human Services to finalise contact tracing for this case and ensure the highest level of response,” the hospital said in a statement.

“As is our usual practice in these situations, all staff working on the ward have been notified, along with current inpatient families and any who may have been discharged since 30 September.

“We are supporting the child’s family and treating team during this unsettling time.”

Victorian Chief Health Officer Professor Brett Sutton said the case could be a false positive result.

“There’s already been testing of close contacts including staff and nothing’s turned up, so I’m not concerned there will be significant spread,” he told reporters on Monday.

“It will go into our pool of mystery cases, that we have a very detailed look at including the possibility of a false positive result.

“When you’ve got a very, very low number of genuine cases in the state and you’re doing 10,000 plus tests a day, a one in 10,000 false positive rate for a test will turn up a positive result that’s not necessarily a true one.”

Professor Sutton said authorities assume all cases are positive, but results are assessed before an expert panel to confirm it is so.

The RCH has treated 20 COVID-19 positive inpatients since the start of the pandemic.

The hospital has not let visitors – other than parents and legal guardians – on site since March, prior to hospital visitor directives being issued.

All parents, guardians and staff entering the hospital must undergo health screening and temperature checks before being let inside.

“Just as COVID-19 is impacting our state, it is to be expected that the RCH will also be impacted,” the hospital said.

“Our staff are trained and prepared for such an outcome and remain committed to protecting our patients, their families and our team.”

Originally published as Child in cancer ward has COVID-19