More than 200 former residents of coronavirus quarantine facilities in Australia are being urged to test for blood-transmitted diseases, including HIV, after authorities admitted they used the same blood-testing devices for multiple guests.
It's the latest in a series of Covid-19 setbacks to hit the country and the state of Victoria in particular. Earlier breaches at Victoria quarantine hotels led to a Covid-19 outbreak in Melbourne, prompting the country's second-biggest city to spend months under strict lockdown.
In a statement Monday, Victorian health agency, Safer Care Victoria, said it was contacting 243 people who had a blood glucose level test before August 20 as there was a risk of cross-contamination and blood-borne viruses, including HIV.
"The clinical risk of infection is low. However, for reassurance, access to confidential testing will be arranged," Safer Care Victoria said in a statement.
Victoria has reported more than 20,000 coronavirus cases, including over 800 deaths, making it the Covid-19 hotspot of Australia. The country has reported more than 27,400 cases and at least 905 deaths in total, according to Johns Hopkins University.
What went wrong with the tests
Australia closed its borders to all non-citizens and residents in March, and any returning travelers must pay 3,000 Australian dollars ($2,110) to spend two weeks in a state quarantine facility.
In the months since, thousands of travelers have passed through Australia's quarantine hotels -- but not all of them require a blood glucose level test.
These devices -- which take a finger prick to get a drop of blood -- are used to test blood glucose levels in people with diabetes, but may also be used for pregnant women, people who fainted, or people who are generally unwell.
Although the devices are designed for several uses by one person, they were used for multiple residents, Safer Care said. The needles can be changed between use, but the devices can retain microscopic amounts of blood.
According to Safer Care, there is no risk that the devices could have transmitted coronavirus as it's not spread by blood. But there is a "low clinical list" of the spread of Hepatitis B and C, and HIV.
"The clinical risk is low," said Safer Care deputy CEO Ann Maree Keenan. "Right now, we won't be able to answer the many questions people will have about how this happened. Be assured that Safer Care Victoria is conducting a full review into how and why this device came to be in use."
But experts told CNN affiliate 9News that the situation was concerning.
President of the Australian Medical Association, Dr. Omar Khorshid, told 9News that the incident was another blunder in the country's flawed hotel quarantine program. An inquiry into the state's quarantine scheme is still ongoing.
"It is yet more evidence of failure of that system," he said.
A burst travel bubble
The testing mistake also comes as Australia's so-called travel bubble with New Zealand -- heralded as one of the first in the world -- launched to some confusion.
Australia announced earlier this month that it would establish a "safe travel zone" with neighboring New Zealand, allowing people to travel quarantine-free from New Zealand to two states -- New South Wales and the Northern Territory. Border restrictions remain in place within Australia.
The bubble is only one-way: New Zealand -- which has reported fewer than 2,000 Covid-19 cases and 25 deaths -- still requires return travelers to undergo a 14-day quarantine in a state facility at a cost of 3,100 New Zealand dollars ($2,040).
Problems with the policy occurred soon after the first flights from New Zealand to Australia landed in Sydney on Friday.
Up to 65 New Zealanders were reported to have traveled on to Melbourne, which is not included in the bubble, according to Australian national broadcaster ABC. Authorities have subsequently contacted most of those believed to be in Melbourne, and they are not in quarantine.
Other travelers from New Zealand have flown to South Australia and Western Australia -- both places which were not part of the bubble at the time, ABC reported. South Australia has now joined the bubble.
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said that he was "disappointed" and "frustrated" that travelers were able to leave Melbourne airport, according to CNN affiliate SBS. But in a statement, a federal government spokesperson said the bubble was working exactly how it was outlined."It is exactly the same arrangement for if a traveler from any Australian state went to WA, they would be required to undertake hotel quarantine," said the statement.
There are a lot of ties between Australia and New Zealand, which -- under normal circumstances -- have some of the most open border rules in the world.
An estimated 685,000 New Zealand citizens live in Australia, while there are around 70,000 Australians living in New Zealand, according to government data.
Latest Stories
-
We may all resort to vote buying if electorates prioritise such over development – Asiedu Nketiah
35 mins -
NDF engages mineral extraction communities in advocacy and litigation resolution
39 mins -
Adabraka community in A/R unites to combat electoral violence
47 mins -
Forestry Commission cracks down on endangered bush meat trade
47 mins -
Global GDP could plunge by 24% by 2,100 without urgent climate action
48 mins -
High Court dismisses lecturer’s bid to block Deputy IGP’s appointment
57 mins -
MTN records 35.5% growth in profit to GH¢3.76bn in quarter 3, 2024
1 hour -
Deloitte to hold training on navigating customs and excise duty Obligations
1 hour -
Akufo-Addo, Bawumia should have prioritised National Peace Campaign launch – Mahama
1 hour -
AGI works to clamp down on substandard foreign mattresses penetrating Ghanaian markets
1 hour -
Immigration Service intercepts 54 gallons of fuel
1 hour -
Ace Medical Insurance makes its mark at Ghana Club 100 Awards
2 hours -
Dafeamekpor takes Speaker to High Court to affirm vacant seats ruling
2 hours -
Government is not funding GMX music streaming platform – Director of Marketing
2 hours -
Energy sector not advancing enough – ACEP
2 hours