It’s been another big year and as we enter the festive season, I understand teams across Western Health will be wanting to come together and celebrate. While case numbers are dropping and vaccination rates are high, there is still significant COVID in our community. Western Health provides an essential service to our community, and families and individuals across our region continue to rely on us. We want to do everything we can to keep our patients, each other, and our families safe.
With that in mind, today we’d like to share some tips for how you can celebrate and enjoy social events with family, friends and work colleagues in a COVID-safe manner this festive season:
- As our Head of Infectious Diseases, Dr Marion Kainer, always says: “Outdoors is your friend!” Consider an outdoor venue for your gatherings. The risk of COVID spreading outdoors is 20 times lower than indoors.
- Consider hosting multiple smaller gatherings with colleagues, rather than a large gathering involving your entire team. The greater the number of people present, the greater the chance someone could be exposed to COVID.
- Limit the amount of time people are meeting together. Consider a shorter gathering over a set period of time.
- Remember that people singing or raising their voices in noisy venues will increase aerosol generation.
While being COVID-safe remains vital, I hope everyone at Western Health will have the opportunity to spend time with family and friends over the summer period. You’ve worked incredibly hard this year, and I want to thank you for your ongoing dedication to our patients and also to your colleagues.
Keeping everyone safe is always the top priority at Western Health, which is why our COVID leadership team continues to review our COVID-safe practices.
At the current time, restrictions on multi-site working remain. Healthcare workers are still required to notify their employer if they are working for different providers. Visitor restrictions also remain unchanged.
Thanks for keeping updated.
Regards,
Natasha
COVID summary
Confirmed COVID ward inpatients at Western Health: 38
Confirmed COVID ICU inpatients at Western Health: 8
Confirmed COVID patients receiving Western Health care in the community: 87
COVID tests by our testing sites yesterday: 1312
Staff accessing surveillance testing yesterday: 551
Vaccinations delivered yesterday by West Metro COVID Vaccinations team: overall (920) and yesterday (1,121,691)
What's new on the COVID microsite?
Click here to see the latest QRGs, clinical guidelines and other updates uploaded to the microsite.
PPE guidelines
Staff being aware of the PPE requirements for their particular role and workspace within Western Health is vital. Please check the PPE poster and review the overall guidelines in the PPE section of our COVID-19 microsite.
Contacting staff enquiries
Staff are reminded to contact the COVID-19 Staff Enquiries Helpdesk if they:
- Have attended a Tier 1 site
- Live with someone who is COVID Positive
- Live with someone who has had a close contact with someone who is COVID positive
- Are returning from international travel
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