A baby infected with coronavirus in a Melbourne neonatal intensive care ward is in a stable condition as the hospital investigates a cluster.
The Royal Children's Hospital confirmed on Monday it had one patient, a staff member and two parents who tested positive to COVID-19 in the neonatal intensive care unit.
A spokeswoman from the hospital confirmed the baby's stable condition with AAP on Tuesday.
All babies, staff and parents who have visited the ward since July 12 will be tested.
The RCH said a connection between the four cases has not yet been established.
The hospital alerted all of the neonatal ward and inpatient families as soon as the positive cases were confirmed.
The Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne in Melbourne. Source: AAP
As a result of contact tracing there are currently 17 RCH staff, seven patients and three parents identified as close contacts of the identified cases, all of whom are now in 14-day self-quarantine.
The RCH has not allowed visitors on site since March, before hospital visitor directives were issued.
Any parent, guardian or staff member entering the hospital must undergo health screening and temperature checking before being allowed access.
Abattoir staff cease work
Workers at the JBS meat factory ceased work on Tuesday morning until the company can assure them they will be safe, their union says.
The JBS abattoir in Brooklyn has recorded 71 COVID-19 cases, but the United Workers Union argues the company has failed to address safety concerns.
The union also claims some workers have been left without any income at all while isolating or had to draw on their annual leave.
Premier Daniel Andrews on Monday said
He warned the state's six-week lockdown would not end until people stop going to work with symptoms and even flagged the possibility some industries could be shut down.
Some 245 people are in hospital with the virus, including 44 in intensive care.
Residents in metropolitan Melbourne are subject to stay-at-home orders and can only leave home for essential work, study, exercise or care responsibilities. It is also mandatory to wear masks in public.
People in Australia must stay at least 1.5 metres away from others. Check your state’s restrictions on gathering limits.
If you are experiencing cold or flu symptoms, stay home and arrange a test by calling your doctor or contact the Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080.
