It has been a particularly difficult few days for Victorians, with the announcement of significant restrictions and curfews, as well as relatively large numbers of new COVID-19 cases being reported.
I’d like to start today’s bulletin by reassuring staff of our stocks of personal protective equipment (PPE). We are confident about our continuous supply of all necessary PPE. We order what we use daily and those stocks are replenished, so please continue to follow all guidelines about safe PPE usage. If you have any questions about PPE, or if you would like to request new face shields or goggles, please contact our PPE Team here.
As most of you will be aware, Western Health’s positive workplace strategy is called “Don’t Walk Past”. Today, I’m asking you to follow the same principles for COVID-19. If you notice a colleague’s face mask has slipped or they have forgotten to wear eye protection, gently let them know. If you see staff members not physically distancing with adequate space, please consider approaching them with a friendly reminder. This is not about judging others. Everyone is doing their best; we’ve all made mistakes and it is easy to slip into old habits. Let’s support each other in making the safest decisions possible.
It has become apparent that there is some confusion about the testing and contact tracing processes for staff. I want to assure you that it is a very detailed and thorough process and I commend the infection control team for the work they are doing in this space. Some of the most common questions have been answered in a Q&A in the bulletin below.
Finally, you will be aware that from tonight, the Victorian Government is introducing a permit system for staff attending work especially during the curfew hours of 8pm-5am. While the permit system will not apply to healthcare workers (including all Western Health staff) we appreciate this has raised some questions. Please ensure that you carry your staff ID at all times when travelling to and from work. The People and Culture team has been working through the finer details and have released further communication this afternoon.
Thanks for taking the time to keep yourself informed.
Regards
Natasha
COVID-19 Daily Summary
• Number of Respiratory Assessment Clinic presentations yesterday – all sites: 614
• Numbers of confirmed COVID-19 inpatients: 81
Vulnerable staff assessment
With the increased community transmission and numbers of COVID positive patients being cared for within Western Health, staff who are worried they may be considered vulnerable or at risk due to COVID -19 should complete the Screening Checklist for Vulnerable Staff Members at Risk during the COVID-19 pandemic which can be found here.
Checklists should be completed in full by the staff member or in consultation with the relevant Manager and emailed to whscovid-19staffclinicenquiries@wh.org.au.
Respect for staff enquiries team
A reminder that the people responding to your questions on the COVID-19 staff enquiries helpdesk are your colleagues. They are Western Health staff members with a range of clinical backgrounds. Like each of you, they are doing valuable work and deserve to be treated with respect. Unfortunately, there have been reports of some staff on the helpdesk being treated disrespectfully. While we understand this is a stressful time, there is no excuse for taking it out on your colleagues. We’re all in this together.
Staff testing and contact tracing - Q&A
• What is the contact tracing process and if someone in my clinical area has tested positive how quickly can I expect to be notified if I am a close contact?
The Infection Prevention team conducts comprehensive contact tracing for patients and staff who test positive at Western Health. The purpose of contact tracing is to identify close or casual contacts as quickly and accurately as possible. ‘Close contact’ means that you have had face-to-face contact for more than 15 minutes, or have shared a closed space for more than two hours, with a confirmed case of COVID-19 during their infectious period. The time is determined from a single or cumulative exposure.
If you were wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) which aligns with PPE COVID-19 guidance during contact with the confirmed case, you are not considered to be a close contact.
Contact tracing for staff involves a variety of processes including conversations with affected staff, review of rosters, review of patient room logs, and breakroom logs and mapping of EMR documentation. In the event you are identified as a close contact you will be contacted by a member of the infection prevention contact tracing team and providing information as to next steps.
• Can I come to work if I have had an asymptomatic test for COVID-19?
Unless otherwise instructed by DHHS or a member of the Infectious Disease or Infection Prevention teams, you can continue to work while awaiting results of an asymptomatic COVID-19 test.
• If my partner is unwell and waiting a COVID-19 test result can I come to work?
If your partner or a member of your household is unwell or they are awaiting results of a COVID-19 test, you are able to come to work. In the event your partner or a member of your household tests positive to COVID-19, contact tracing would determine if you are considered to be a close contact and required to isolate.
If you have any questions about the onset of COVID-19 symptoms, exposures to COVID-19 or testing criteria or clinic information, please contact the COVID-19 Staff Enquiries Helpdesk. The best way to do this is by email: whscovid-19staffclinicenquiries@wh.org.au
For all other Western Health COVID-19 matters, including general enquiries and support, please email coronavirus@wh.org.au and a member of the team will be in touch.
A reminder also that the best place for staff to be tested is at a Western Health testing site (the Respiratory Assessment Clinics at Sunshine or Sunbury, or the pop-up sites that are sometimes necessary). This ensures that Infection Prevention can be notified in a timely manner and contact tracing can occur as soon as possible.