A Middlemore Hospital worker in Auckland is in quarantine following a "PPE protocol incident" relating to the management of a COVID-19 patient who was flown from Fiji to New Zealand.
The New Zealand Herald reports the breach was considered "minor" and other protections were in place.
New Zealand's Ministry of Health says the Middlemore Hospital-based worker was moved to quarantine as a precaution after they were unable to easily quarantine at home.
A New Zealand Health Ministry spokesperson told New Zealand Herald that no one else was affected, any risks from this incident are low and the health professional is fully vaccinated.
The spokesperson said once the incident occurred, the individual reported it immediately, sought advice and began taking the appropriate steps to manage any possible risks.
The New Zealand Herald reports the COVID-19 patient flown from Fiji to New Zealand seeking medical treatment remains in a critical condition and while doctors don't know what strain of the virus the woman has, they are treating it as if it is the Delta variant.
The woman, a United Nations worker in her 60s, was transferred to New Zealand in an "Isopod" - a negative pressure capsule - while aircrew donned full protective wear to safeguard against infection.
The request to fly to New Zealand for treatment was approved by New Zealand's Ministry of Health after a request by the UN.
[Source:New Zealand Herald]
