Infectious WA security guard led to quarantine change
A WA security guard working at the Sheraton Four Points hotel, contracted COVID-19 and then continued on with his day-to-day life while infectious.
His actions sparked a five day lock-down on 31 January and a review of the hotel quarantine system, performed by former WA chief health officer Tarun Weeramanthri.
On Tuesday, Health Minister Roger Cook confirmed the government received Professor Weeramanthri’s report, stating that the findings will be made public in the near future.
“It’s in the hands of the Department of Premier and Cabinet, and obviously I have less oversight of that process now we’re in caretaker than I would otherwise,” he told reporters.
It is unknown how the guard, known as “case 903”, contracted the virus as he had no face to face contact with anyone during his shifts, leading the authorities to believe the virus was transmitted either by airborne transmission or surface contamination.
This incident led to important changes such as anyone working in hotel quarantine in a “high-risk situation” is now required to wear a face mask and protective eyewear at all times, frontline hotel workers to be tested between shifts and on their days off and not allowing some workers from holding second jobs.
Vaccines have started to be rolled out, with Mr Cook saying 378 people had received the Pfizer vaccine on the first day of WA’s rollout and 330 were booked in on Tuesday.
Approximately one-third of hotel quarantine workers in WA have signed up for the vaccine so far.
Irit Jackson, 24th February 2021
