Report finds no fault after COVID-19 infection at Queensland hospital

It found the hospital had appropriate policies in place, but did identify opportunities to strengthen infection control such as limiting entry points to any ward treating COVID-19.

The unvaccinated staff member unknowingly took the virus on holiday with her to Magnetic Island for 10 days, sparking a snap lockdown for Queensland in late June.

Health Minister Yvette D’Ath said the report by Dr Paul Griffin and Ms Katherine Taylor identifies opportunities for improved infection control procedures in hospitals treating COVID patients.

“We’ve never seen anything like COVID-19 before and with different variants it continues to change and become more transmissible,” Ms D’Ath said.

“It’s important we take every opportunity to learn and adapt, with work already underway to enhance infection control practices in our hospitals.

“The report makes a number of recommendations around the limiting of entry points, signage and swipe card access procedures in COVID wards.”

Ms D’Ath said Queensland’s COVID-treating hospitals already had very high vaccination rates amongst staff with 77 per cent fully vaccinated and 83 per cent partially vaccinated.

“Importantly, the report confirmed no unvaccinated staff member had entered the COVID-19 ward at The Prince Charles Hospital,” she said.

“In recent weeks we have seen the tragic consequences of transmission on COVID-19 within hospitals interstate, so I call on all Queenslanders, especially our few remaining Hospital and Health Service staff across the state to come forward and get vaccinated.”