The RCH’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit has resumed normal services.

The ward continues to care for one baby who has tested positive for COVID-19. There have been no additional parent or patient cases since this original patient case was identified.

The response to the NICU outbreak was overseen by the Department of Health and Human Services who confirmed the Butterfly ward could accept admissions from midday today. This follows a comprehensive testing program where almost 300 RCH staff voluntarily participated in an asymptomatic testing program. This is in addition to testing all inpatients on the ward.

The testing program revealed only one healthcare worker returning a positive test. This staff member was asymptomatic and immediately self-isolated. There were no patients or parents identified as close contacts of this new case.

Just as COVID-19 is impacting our state, it is to be expected that the RCH will also be impacted. Our staff are trained and prepared for such an outcome, and remain committed to protecting our patients, their families and our team.

The RCH has not allowed visitors onsite since March – before statewide hospital visitor directives were issued. Only one parent is allowed onsite at any time and anyone entering the hospital must undergo health screening and temperature checking before being allowed access.

We encourage anyone who has questions to contact the Coronavirus Hotline
on 1800 675 398 or visit https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronavirus