by Michaela Meade
A psychiatric ward in Broadmeadows has been locked down after a staff member at NorthWestern Mental Health returned a weak positive test for COVID-19.
Premier Daniel Andrews this morning said the woman had been at a function venue on Sydney Road in Coburg, which has been linked to a number of other positive cases.
He said the woman is asymptomatic, had undergone a number of tests, and has been deemed to be a positive case by the public health team.
“Even though this individual’s result is unclear, we are assuming, for the purposes of contact tracing and a rapid response, that she is in fact positive,” Mr Andrews said.
“This has been a very rapid response.. [and is] filled with an abundance of caution.”
The wards and services the woman has been involved with have been shut down, according to Mr Andrews, and preliminary and secondary close contacts have been told to isolate.
State testing commander Jeroen Weimar said there are 150 contact across three sites, who are now needing to stop working to get tested.
“Our mental health services are so important, particularly at this time,” Mr Weimar said.
“This is a significant number of staff we are going through to test to make sure they are safe, and we do that work as swiftly as we can.”
Meanwhile, Mr Weimar said all 12 staff members at Melbourne Airport’s Brunetti Cafe, where a positive case worked on Tuesday, February 9, had returned negative tests.
Mr Andrews said he was not in a position to confirm if the lockdown would end on Wednesday.
“The numbers are pleasing and I think we are well placed, however, I have never been one to make bold predictions,” he said.
Fergusson Plarre Bakehouse at Broadmeadows Central has been removed as an exposure site after further investigation.New information confirms the case visited Bonbons Bakery at the centre on Tuesday, February 9 from 12.30-12.45pm.
