A staff member has contracted COVID-19 from a patient at Brisbane’s Princess Alexandra Hospital, forcing a lockdown of the facility.
Queensland Health said in a statement late on Friday that the staff member had contact with the patient in the early hours of Wednesday and was infectious in the community on Thursday.
The staff member is believed to be a doctor.
Contact tracing is underway and it is likely public exposure sites will be identified and communicated.
“All patients, staff and families this person interacted with are being identified and appropriate actions are being taken,” Queensland Health said.
The lockdown means all non-essential visits to patients will not be allowed and anyone needing to attend the hospital will be required to wear a mask.
The Emergency Department will remain open but people are urged to receive care at other hospitals or at a GP if possible.
Staff will have to wear masks at all times as will patients unless it is not clinically appropriate.
Non-urgent outpatient bookings and elective surgery will be postponed.
