Rob McLennan / July 8, 2022
The coroner will investigate the unexplained death of a baby at Geelong University Hospital amid unconfirmed reports that the baby was suffering from COVID-19.
The one-year-old boy died on Monday, but although some media suggest the boy was infected with the virus, it has not been confirmed.
Barwon Health said it conveyed its deepest condolences and condolences to the child’s family, but that it would be inappropriate to speculate on a possible cause of death.
Geelong University Hospital, like most others across the country, is struggling under the weight of an increase in the number of patients as a new wave of the Omicron variant sweeps the country.
Victoria recorded 592 new COVID-19 infections yesterday, the highest figure since February.
Australia has recorded more than 8,000 COVID-related deaths this year, five times more than in the first two years of the pandemic.
The new strain, known as BA.4 / BA.5, is wreaking havoc on the healthcare system because it is better able to evade the protections normally provided by previous vaccines or infections.
The latest wave has prompted the federal government to offer a fourth vaccination to all Australians over the age of 30.
Image: L Zacher / Geelong Broadcasters