One of Australia’s leading cancer treatment and research centres, the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre in Melbourne has been the subject of another COVID-19 alert.

On Sunday 23 August the Victorian Health and Human Services Department said it was investigating cases of COVID-19 linked to a ward at Peter Mac.

The Centre issued a statement saying it had contacted all patients, staff and visitor contacts who were potentially at risk, and anyone who had not had communication from the centre would not need to take action

“We’ve responded quickly after detecting a small number of COVID-19 cases at Peter Mac,” it said.

“Our infection prevention specialists have been working throughout the weekend to identify close contacts, who will self-isolate for at least 14 days. We’ve completed a deep clean and also undertaken broader testing as an added precaution.

In its statement, Peter Mac said patients who test positive for COVID-19 will be transferred to another hospital. Staff who test positive will be supported to quarantine until they are well again.

The Centre, which offers cutting-edge cancer and haematology treatment such as CAR T-cell therapy, says it has introduced a range of measures to minimise the risk of COVID-19 including temperature checks, mask wearing policy, use of telehealth consultations where possible, and a ban on visitors.

However it is urging patients not to be deterred from continuing to seek treatment at the centre.

In April the Peter Mac had a false alarm when a member of staff who tested positive for COVID-19 subsequently proved to be negative.