The state’s health department confirmed a patient had been transferred to intensive care on Thursday – the first time a positive case had been in ICU since May 27.There are six other Covid-19 patients in hospital receiving care, the health department said.Three of the positive cases in hospital were transferred from Arcare Maidstone aged care facility to Epping Private about 11 days ago, where a fully vaccinated nurse also tested positive.Victoria’s Covid-19 response commander Jeroen Weimar said the nurse worked on the dedicated Covid ward caring for those patients, but in an alarming breach of protocols also worked two shifts at another medical facility.The nurse completed two shifts at the Northern Hospital in Epping on June 11 and 12.Mr Weimar said the Victorian health department had a provision stating staff working in a dedicated Covid-19 ward with positive patients were not to work across multiple sites.“We have very clear expectations and strong requirements of the designated Covid wards to look after our most vulnerable patients who are who are suffering with Covid,” he said.“One of those expectations is that staff are dedicated to that particular ward and do not work elsewhere.“I’m very concerned and disappointed that this has occurred.“That should not have been allowed to happen.“Had it not been allowed to happen, we would not have seen the impact on Northern Hospital that we see today with 22 staff being furloughed.”There are 54 active cases in Victoria – 37 are locally acquired and 17 are in hotel quarantine.Further coronavirus restrictions were eased in Victoria overnight, with the border between metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria removed, along with the 25km metro travel limit.Masks are no longer required outdoors but are still be recommended when social distancing of 1.5m couldn’t be maintained.jack.paynter@news.com.au
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