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Newborns fine despite John Hunter Hospital COVID scare

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Despite a COVID-19 outbreak at John Hunter Hospital’s Maternity Ward and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), all babies and staff, at this stage, remain coronavirus free.

It comes after the mother of a newborn baby tested positive for COVID-19 on Sunday 26 September.

She was a patient of the Maternity Ward and alerted staff to the onset of respiratory symptoms and was immediately isolated and tested for infection.

“Following her diagnosis, close and casual contacts on the maternity ward and in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at John Hunter Children’s Hospital, where her child is being cared for, were immediately contacted, tested and told to isolate,” medical controller for Hunter New England Local Health District’s COVID-19 response Dr Paul Cravan said.

“This included parents and staff.

“Since the initial diagnosis, a further five parents have tested positive while in isolation.

“All staff were wearing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) while caring for these families and have to date, all tested negative.”

Despite being deemed as a low-risk exposure event, the infants were monitored.

“The babies in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit have been assessed as a low-risk for exposure, however, multiple tests have been undertaken, with all babies testing negative for COVID-19,” Dr Cravan said.

“The babies continue to receive high-quality care from our dedicated nursing staff and neonatologists.”

Unfortunately, for impacted parents the NICU is off limits, however they can still check in of their little one via a camera system.

“Parents in isolation have access to the NICU’s NICView camera system, which allows them to log on and see their baby 24-hours-a-day,” Dr Cravan said.

All exposure sites within the facility have since been deep cleaned and the operation of the NICU is unaffacted.

Staff continue to abide by strict COVID-19 protocols and unaffacted parents can still spend time with their newborns.

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