Monash University has been advised by the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) that four members of the Monash community have tested positive with COVID-19. Our thoughts and well wishes are with these community members and their families. We wish them all a speedy recovery and reiterate to them and the entire Monash community we are here during this uncertain time to offer any support we can.
DHHS has advised us there is no threat to our community, and while there isn't a requirement for the University to officially report this, we have done so to ensure there is no misinformation. The four cases that relate to Monash are:
- A person who attended Monash's Caulfield and Clayton campus in early March tested positive and is now recovering well at home in self-isolation.
- An individual within our community contracted the virus overseas and has now returned to their country of origin, which is not Australia. This person had not been on an Australian campus since contracting the virus and is now recovering in their home country.
- A Monash Peninsula community member who returned from personal travel has contracted the virus outside of Australia. This person has not attended campus since returning and is currently self-isolating.
- A person who returned from overseas travel has contracted the virus outside of Australia. They have not attended campus since returning and are recovering at home in self-isolation.
Any person who is required to self-isolate, or undertake any other action in response to these confirmed cases, has been contacted by DHHS.
Monash takes the health and wellbeing of our community very seriously. DHHS have been digilent in their contact tracing framework. This has not resulted in the need to close any part of a Monash campus.
Monash's Chief Medical Officer is providing support and advice to our affected community members and working closely with the DHHS.
We will keep the University community informed of any relevant information in line with DHHS guidelines.
It was previously reported that a Monash staff member had contracted COVID-19. This was a person working with us in an honorary capacity who had not attended any Monash campus.
Additionally, an individual returning from overseas was a prior confirmed case that the University managed with DHHS before the semester commenced again. The individual never attended on campus or engaged with a Monash community member.
Both of these individuals have now recovered.
