Victoria's perioperative response to the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

In late February and early March 2020, Victoria, like every state and territory in Australia, was faced with the prospect of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic overwhelming healthcare resources in hospital emergency departments, wards and intensive care units. A Health Service Pandemic Leadership Team (HSPLT), chaired by the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), was established to mobilize leadership and obtain the best advice from across the Victorian health system. 1 Limited resources of particular concern included sufficient appropriately trained medical and nursing staff, mechanical ventilators, intensive care unit beds and the correct personal protective equipment (PPE). On 8 March 2020, there were just 12 cases in Victoria, all related to overseas travel. The World Health Organization somewhat belatedly declared COVID‐19 to be a pandemic on 11 March. 2 A state of emergency was declared by the Victorian Premier, Daniel Andrews, on 16 March. 3 Then, Victoria had reported 71 cases.