Growing outbreak at Melbourne hospital infects dozens, creates staffing dilemma
A fresh coronavirus outbreak at a Melbourne hospital has infected around 50 staff and patients, raising questions about the facility's capacity to cope.
Victoria's Chief Health Officer Professor Brett Sutton confirmed the outbreak at Frankston Hospital in Melbourne's south-east, but played down suggestions widespread staff furloughs puts the hospital in danger.
"I think that number will grow," Prof. Sutton said, referencing yesterday's total of around 50 COVID-19 infections.
A growing cluster of coronavirus cases has been detected among patients and staff at Frankston Hospital in Melbourne. Google Maps
Location of Frankston Hospital, in Melbourne, Victoria, where a new cluster outbreak has occurred. 9News
"There's been significant opportunity for transmission there."
Prof. Sutton said there would be "a lot of furloughed staff" but insisted trained replacements could step into the void.
An investigation was underway, he said.
READ MORE: Victoria records 216 new cases and 12 deaths
"We clearly need to look at patient to staff infection [and] staff to staff transmission."
Prof. Sutton also rejected claims Victoria had half the number of contact tracers of NSW.
"We've got a very large contact-tracing workforce," he said, when pressed by reporters.
He said Victoria had a "very substantial" number of contact tracers in the state.
He did not believe the state needed to recruit more into the team, but confirmed they were currently onboarding new staff.
Prof. Sutton said Victoria has done "pretty well" managing the second wave when compared with countries like Spain, Israel and France.
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