With increasing cases reported over the past few days – including a number of confirmed cases of Omicron in Victoria – Western Health is continuing to ensure we are well-prepared to respond to changing demands.
The COVID leadership team has made the decision to revert Ward 2G at Sunshine to a COVID ward, from this afternoon. The ward will open according to demand, with up to 20 COVID beds available.
While the higher numbers are of concern, the increase is expected and follows the pandemic modelling by the Burnet Institute. Today I’d like to remind and reassure you that Western Health has very well-developed – and tested – surge plans. The speed with which we’re able to adapt to the changing circumstances of the pandemic, such as we’ve done with today’s reopening of Sunshine’s COVID ward, really is testament to the flexibility of our staff. Thank you to everyone involved.
I also want to let you know that over the past few days there have been increasing numbers of staff acquiring COVID through community transmission. This not unexpected, given the easing of restrictions and the amount of COVID in the community, however it’s an important reminder that we all keep sticking to the basics of COVID safety. Please get tested if you have the mildest of mildest of symptoms, and remember that asymptomatic testing is also available to all staff members. Remember to use QR codes each and every time you use a tea or break room, as this is vitally important information for our contact tracing colleagues in the event of an outbreak. And please continue to adhere to our PPE guidelines. In particular, we’re asking clinical staff to remember to wear eye protection. Research continues to show that face masks and goggles are really important for protecting against COVID, but unfortunately compliance is not as high as it could be. Keeping our staff and patients safe is our top priority at Western Health, so please take the extra steps to protect yourself and your colleagues.
Thanks for keeping updated.
Regards
Natasha
COVID summary
Confirmed COVID ward inpatients at Western Health: 31
Confirmed COVID ICU inpatients at Western Health: 8
Confirmed COVID patients receiving Western Health care in the community: 112
COVID tests by our testing sites yesterday: 1256
Staff accessing surveillance testing yesterday: 451
Vaccinations delivered yesterday by West Metro COVID Vaccinations team: overall (1,136,372) and yesterday (923)
Contacting staff enquiries
Staff are reminded to contact the COVID-19 Staff Enquiries Helpdesk if they:
- Have been advised they have had contact with someone who is COVID Positive
- Live with someone who is COVID Positive
- Live with someone who has had a contact with someone who is COVID positive
- Are returning from International Travel
Individualised advice and precautions, including surveillance testing and PPE, is recommended following an individual risk assessment
Email whscovid-19staffclinicenquiries@wh.org.au and include the following detail:
- Name
- Role
- Work location
- Exposure site and date/ Enquiry Reason
- Contact number/s
CHO update
Click here to read the most recent update by Victoria’s Chief Health Officer.