Five staff from a Victorian children's hospital have tested positive for coronavirus and seven others are self-isolating but the centre rejects the cases are part of an outbreak.
Melbourne's Royal Children's Hospital on Wednesday confirmed five workers from the health centre have separately tested positive.
A spokesman from the RCH said the workers are not connected with any work team and ensured the other seven staff self-isolating are doing so for individual circumstances.
She also said there are no COVID-19 patients at the hospital.
A shop within the hospital was forced to close last Friday after a back of house worker at the premises tested positive.
"As this is a private retail tenancy, contact tracing is being managed by the health department," the RCH spokesman said.
"The RCH has received no advice to any risk to patrons however took the measure of advising all staff as soon as we became aware and also placing advisory notices."
Victoria announced one new coronavirus death and 238 fresh cases on Wednesday, the fifth day of more than 200 new infections.
Premier Daniel Andrews confirmed on Wednesday morning a woman in her 90s had died overnight, bringing the total number of deaths in the state to 27.
Of the new cases, Mr Andrews said 29 were related to known outbreaks and 209 were under investigation.
Amid speculation the government is considering a move to a 'Stage 4' lockdown, Mr Andrews warned that if the current rules are not followed "we will have to move to additional restrictions".
These hospitalisation numbers are of great concern to us,” Mr Andrews said.
Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton warned the current coronavirus wave will lead to more deaths.
"One in 100 - or more - will die," he said.
"When we have 238 cases every day, we are looking at two to three deaths in a week's time, so we have to have these numbers decrease.”
Professor Sutton said mandatory mask-wearing "shouldn't be off the table".
"It's a risk not to have them, especially with the transmission going on in Melbourne," he said.
Residents in metropolitan Melbourne are subject to stay-at-home orders and can only leave home for essential work, study, exercise or care responsibilities. People are also advised to wear masks in public.
People in Australia must stay at least 1.5 metres away from others. Check your state’s restrictions on gathering limits.
If you are experiencing cold or flu symptoms, stay home and arrange a test by calling your doctor or contact the Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080. News and information is available in 63 languages at sbs.com.au/coronavirus
