Victoria declares respirators necessary for all ‘probable’ COVID-19 cases
The declaration expands previous guidance that the state's doctors should only wear respirators for prolonged contact with suspected cases
Victorian health officials are now recommending doctors wear N95/P2 respirators for any contact with probable or confirmed COVID-19 cases.
The changes announced on Wednesday expand the previous recommendations that doctors should only wear respirators for prolonged care wherever probable or confirmed cases were cohorted, such as in COVID-19 wards.
A ‘probable case’ includes patients with symptoms who are close contacts of confirmed cases or who have symptoms and live in areas with outbreaks.
Former AMA president Dr Mukesh Haikerwal said health officials had taken too long to recommend broad use of respirators.
