Victoria’s hotel quarantine guests to be tested for HIV
If you thought Victoria’s hotel quarantine saga couldn’t get any worse, or more bizarre, then think again.
A new investigation has been launched into how guests in hotel quarantine may have been accidentally exposed to infectious diseases such as HIV and hepatitis.
The possible infections are due to the botched use of a health device.
Safer Care Victoria has launched an investigation into contamination issues caused by a blood glucose monitoring device used by medical staff on quarantine ‘guests’.
243 people are being contacted who are potentially at risk of cross-contamination and blood borne viruses. These include hepatitis B and C, and HIV.
The glucose level tests were carried out between 29 March and 20 August.
The finger prick devices are meant only for one person per device. However, it was found that one device was used for multiple people. Fortunately, this did not contribute to the spread of COVID-19 as the virus is not believed to be transmitted via blood.
“The health of past quarantine residents is our immediate concern, so arranging screening for them is our absolute priority,” Safer Care Victoria acting chief executive officer Associate Professor Ann Maree Keenan said.
“The clinical risk is low. But if you are at all worried you had this test – and we have not contacted you yet – please call us.
“Right now, we won’t be able to answer the many questions people will have about how this happened.
“Be assured that Safer Care Victoria is conducting a full review into how and why this device came to be in use.
“I hope that we will be able to bring peace of mind through getting people in for testing, and through the findings of our review.”
The risk of infection is low, however anyone who had the test is being urged to contact Safe Victoria if they are yet to be contacted.
Key figures to be recalled to inquiry
This revelation comes as a number of key government figures have been recalled to the hotel quarantine inquiry following the emergence of misleading and incomplete evidence, including undisclosed emails
Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton and Department of Health and Human Services secretary Kym Peake are expected to be re-examined in an extraordinary sitting where Chair Jennifer Coate will outline her next steps.
The recall will likely delay the 6 November deadline for her final report.
Barrister Phil Hayes QC says the recall by Ms Coate is an opportunity for the board to reassure the Victorian public it was “rigorous and relentless’’ in determining who decided to hire private security.
Mr Hayes wrote in the Herald Sun recently, “It now has the phone records of the Premier and many within the Department of Premier and Cabinet. The task now is to recall all of those witnesses who could shine a light on the critical six minutes and question them once more to ascertain who knew and said what and when to whom.
“If the board’s forthcoming report is to be meaningful, public acceptance of the report depends on this task being undertaken with resolve.’’
Irit Jackson, 20th October 2020
