West Australian nurse volunteering in Victoria tests positive for COVID-19
A Western Australian nurse who volunteered in Victoria's residential aged care facilities has tested positive to COVID-19.
WA Health Minister Roger Cook tonight confirmed the nurse had been working in a team with six other nurses and tested positive on Sunday during routine examinations.
Western Australia sent 19 healthcare staff members to Victoria last month.
WA Health Minister Roger Cook tonight confirmed the nurse had been working in a team with six other nurses and tested positive on Sunday during routine examinations. 9News
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"The WA Department of Health is in regular contact with the nurse who has tested positive as well as all the nurses deployed to Victoria," Mr Cook said this afternoon.
"This case shows even with our most experienced nursing staff that this is a very transmissible virus.
"We want to make sure that we reach out to all our nursing staff who ware working in Victoria and make sure we are caring for them as best as possible."
Mr Cook said health authorities are now assessing the options available for treatment for the nurse and her team, including possibly transporting them back to WA.
He said the nurse is in isolation at a hotel nicknamed the 'Hotel for Heroes' in Melbourne and her team have also been placed in isolation at a different location.
"At the moment duty of care to these nurses is uppermost in our minds," Mr Cook said.
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"We want to make sure we look after them and we want to make sure we look after those around them and support their families.
"They are one of ours, they're our people and from that perspective we're going to do everything we can to bring them home."
Mr Cook also said he does not imagine WA authorities will need to deploy more nursing staff now that the Victorian fight against COVID-19 seems to have improved.
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