A Brisbane hospital doctor has tested positive for coronavirus and spent a day in the community, prompting an urgent alert from Queensland Health.
The Princess Alexandra Hospital, where the infected doctor works, has been put into lockdown, with all non-essential visits cancelled and masks mandatory for all staff and essential visitors.
All staff at the Princess Alexandra Hospital must now wear a mask.Credit:Bradley Kanaris
Queensland Health confirmed late Friday night that contract tracing was underway and exposure sites were expected to be identified and detailed on Saturday.
“The person, a staff member at the PA Hospital, had contact with COVID-19 positive patients in the early hours of March 10 [Wednesday]. The person was infectious whilst in the community on the 11th [Thursday],” the health department said in a statement.
“All patients, staff and families this person interacted with are being identified and appropriate actions are being taken.
“The hospital is actively working to ensure the safety of staff and patients on campus while contact tracing is undertaken.
“Anyone with any COVID-19 symptoms should get tested immediately and isolate until you receive a negative result.
“The [Princess Alexandra] emergency department will remain open, but if you’re able to receive care at a nearby hospital or at a GP, please do so.
“Staff will wear masks at all times. Patients will be required to wear masks at all times unless it is not clinically appropriate. Non-urgent outpatient bookings and elective surgery will be postponed.”
An email sent to all Brisbane Metro South health staff said the infected person was a “medical officer”.
“From Friday evening, March 12, Princess Alexandra Hospital will be in lockdown which will impact patient visitation and other precautions for staff and patients until further advice,” the email said.
“We all need to do our part to ensure the safety of our staff and patients in the hospital while contact tracing is undertaken.
“Effective immediately, the [PA Hospital] is classified as moderate risk which requires flat surgical masks to be worn by all staff, patients and visitors with exception when interacting within 1.5 metres of others.”
“Please talk with your patients so that they can contact their family members to prevent visitors attending the campus who we cannot accommodate at this time.”
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