Baby at Melbourne hospital tests positive for coronavirus
A three-week-old baby at a Melbourne neonatal hospital unit has tested positive for coronavirus.
Four cases have now been linked to the NICU at the Royal Children’s Hospital, according to the Department of Health and Human Services, Nine News reports.
The cluster includes two parents, one patient and a medical staffer.
Any parents, babies or staff who have spent time at the Butterfly Ward since July 12 will be tested for the virus, the publication said.
Victoria's second wave of COVID could be close to its peak as the state recorded six more deaths and hit a national record 532 new cases on Monday.
Premier Daniel Andrews said the six new deaths included women in their 70s, 80s and 90s and men in their 50s, 70s and 80s and five are connected to outbreaks in aged care.
Victoria has reported 58 deaths in the past six weeks, taking the state's toll to 77 and the national figure to 161.
In that period, active cases of the virus have leapt from 51 to 4542.
Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton remains disturbed about outbreaks at aged care facilities.
"These are very challenging numbers. We're at a very challenging stage with this wave," he told reporters.
Prof Sutton said there were now 84 cases linked to St Basil's Home for the Aged in Fawkner, 82 at Estia Health in Ardeer, 77 at Epping Gardens Aged Care, and 62 at Menarock Aged Care in Essendon.
Glendale Aged Care in Werribee has 53 cases linked to it and 57 are associated with Kirkbrae Presbyterian Homes in Kilsyth.
Mr Andrews implored Victorians who were experiencing symptoms of coronavirus not to go to work or there would be more deaths.
"Otherwise, these restrictions will be in place for longer than they should be, and I'm sorry to say, we will see more people die, particularly in aged care," he said.
"If people are going to work sick, people will become infected. And therefore, people will die."
with AAP
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