With the continuing escalation of the coronavirus outbreak in the Melbourne metropolitan area, we will be providing you with more regular updates during this time.
Over the past week, four staff members have tested positive for COVID-19 across various sites. Our thoughts are with the staff members and they are being provided with the necessary supports. All of the necessary contact tracing and testing is taking place. We do not know the source of transmission for these infections or whether it was in the community or at work.
All staff across Western Health at all sites, have access to PPE to wear each shift, regardless of whether your role is clinical and even if you do not work in clinical areas. This measure is to protect you and your colleagues. With the high rates of transmission in the community at present, staff are at risk of contracting COVID-19 in the community and then unwittingly transferring it to colleagues. I urge you to protect yourself at every opportunity.
While the increasing case numbers are of concern to all of us, I would like to remind you that Western Health has spent more than five months preparing for every eventuality with the COVID-19 outbreak. We have extensive plans in place for any required surge in demand. Thank you once again to the hundreds of staff who have supported those preparations. See below for some of the latest shots of preparation!
A reminder that you can familiarise yourself with many of the detailed Quick Reference Guides and Clinical Guidelines that you will find on this coronavirus site – these have been carefully developed during our period of preparation.
Please continue to exercise judgement and compassion when implementing support for visitors in line with Western Health and DHHS guidelines. (Found under V in Quick Reference Guides).
An army of Western Health staff are continuing to support testing across multiple sites in addition to our Sunshine and Sunbury Clinics and the major Showgrounds drive-through site. We are now part of the testing team for the North Melbourne public housing towers and Western Health is constantly responding to new and changing requests to support the overall Melbourne response.
Regards
Lebe
Acting Executive Director Operations
COVID Summary
Total tests (managed by Western Health): 20,271
Positive tests: 183
Current inpatients: 7
Tests: Sunshine – 312; Sunbury – 125 Showgrounds – 874
COVID Preparation continues
Over the past week, deliveries of additional ICU equipment have continued as part of our surge planning.
