Over 200 people that undertook mandatory hotel quarantine in Victoria between March 29th and August 20th will have to be screened for HIV after fears of cross-contamination from blood glucose test devices.
Those that took part in the quarantine will be required to test for blood-borne viruses such as Hepatitis A, Hepatitis C and HIV.
The machines — which take a blood sample from a fingertip — are intended for use on only one person, where used on multiple people quarantining.
Safer Care Victoria, has issued a statement revealing that 243 people who had been tested by a machine during the timeframe in concern will be contacted for a screening. The devices have since been taken out of circulation.
“The health of past quarantine residents is our immediate concern, so arranging screening for them is our absolute priority,” shared CEO of Safer Care Victoria, Associate Professor Ann Maree Keenan. “The clinical risk is low. But if you are at all worried you had this test – and we have not contacted you yet – please call us,” she said.
“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.
“I hope that we will be able to bring peace of mind through getting people in for testing, and through the findings of our review.”
Victorian premier Daniel Andrews has emphasised that the incident is “very low risk” and tests are being taken as a precautionary measure.
“Safer Care Victoria have made some announcements in relation to a clinical error that was made some time ago, very low risk, but you can’t take any risks with these things,” he shared during a press conference on Tuesday. “You have to follow them up properly and that’s exactly what has happened,” he said at a press conference on Tuesday.
