A COVID-19 update from Monash University

Monash University has been working with the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) throughout the COVID-19 crisis and has reported that since February, fourteen members of our community have tested positive with COVID-19.

Extensive contact tracing has been completed by the DHHS and any person who was required to complete the mandatory 14 days in self isolation, or undertake any other action in response to these confirmed cases, will have been notified.

Monash has been in frequent contact with these community members to provide support through their recovery and beyond, and is working closely with the DHHS to keep our community informed of the latest updates. All confirmed cases within our community completed the mandatory 14 days in self isolation and have now recovered.

The cases include:

Seven individuals returning from overseas contracted the virus but did not attend any Monash campus.

An individual who attended our Clayton campus in late March tested positive in April.

An individual who attended Monash’s Caulfield and Clayton campus in early March tested positive.

Two individuals who tested positive in Melbourne but did not attend campus.

An individual who tested positive along with family members but did not attend campus.

An individual who contracted the virus overseas and then returned to their country of origin, which was not Australia. This person had not been on an Australian campus.

A Monash Peninsula community member who returned from personal travel. This person did not attend campus.

Monash University's Chief Medical Officer, Dr Vicki Ashton, said: “Though we are starting to see the positive effects social distancing measures and limitations to indoor and outdoor gatherings are having on the spread of COVID-19 in Victoria, we are still in the early stages of defence against this virus. We can expect to see additional members of the Monash community test positive with COVID-19.”

According to the DHHS, the number of community acquired cases contracted from an unknown source are continuing to rise, so it’s important that all Australians comply with the restrictions in place for the safety and wellbeing of the entire community.

“Social distancing and good hygiene practices alongside early detection and self isolation are our strongest weapon against COVID-19. Thank you to everyone who is doing their part to stop the spread and flatten the curve,” Dr Ashton added.