Victoria is facing a new coronavirus outbreak, with around 50 staff and patients of Melbourne’s Frankston Hospital believed to be infected with COVID-19.
Victoria’s Chief Health Officer has confirmed the outbreak and warned that worse news could lie ahead.
“I think that number will grow,” Professor Brett Sutton said.
“There’s been significant opportunity for transmission there.”
While infected staff have been stood down, Professor Sutton said they would be replaced with suitably trained medical personnel to ensure the hospital continued to function at the earliest opportunity.
A number of hospital wards have been shut down as authorities carry out an investigation into the outbreak.
“We clearly need to look at patient to staff infection [and] staff to staff transmission.”
Victoria has recorded 216 new cases and a further 12 deaths in the last 24 hours – the state’s lowest daily infection rate in more than a month.
All of the 12 deaths reported are linked to aged care facilities.
