Infectious disease expert defends WA quarantine system amid airborne transmission mystery
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The McGowan governmentâs hotel quarantine system has copped a battering this week following the infection of a security guard but one of the stateâs top infectious disease expert still has faith in it effectiveness.
On Wednesday it was revealed the guard was stationed nearby the room of a COVID-positive quarantine guest but he did not come into direct contact with them raising concerns of airborne transmission.
Questions have also been raised by the Autralian Medical Association over policies that did not require guards to wear a face mask while stationary in hotel hallways, as well as the effectiveness of PPE offered to quarantine staff.
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A bracelet tracking system could strengthen Western Australia’s hotel quarantine system and allow those from low-risk countries to isolate at home, according to UNSW infection control expert Professor Marylouise McLaws.
Professor McLaws said tracking bracelets could lessen the risk of COVID-19 leaking out of hotel quarantine by ensuring no one inappropriately enters or leaves their room.
She also said tracking bracelets could be worn by hotel staff to ensure only those trained to do so enter special areas.
“You really need a system where no one s leaving that room and if there has been a breach that can be dealt with instantaneously, not once a cleaner or a staff member has been found to be infected,” Professor McLaws said.