The rising number of community transmission COVID cases across Victoria announced today is a concern for us all. Despite this bad news, it was great to see one of our former COVID patients, Kimberly Hanrahan, joining the State Government’s press conference today. Kimberly is a mother of two who became extremely unwell with COVID last year and was cared for by Western Health. She praised the “amazing staff” who looked after her in Footscray’s ICU and then in the ward, and also outlined the long-term challenges she has faced with her health in the 14 months since. Kimberly’s message to get vaccinated was a powerful one. See Kimberly here.
As the cases of community transmission increase, the Department of Health has changed some policies and practices around contact tracing, including by the Western Public Health Unit (WPHU). These changes will affect the processes for returning to work for Western Health staff identified as primary close contacts (PCCs) and secondary close contacts (SCCs). The main changes are outlined below:
SECONDARY CLOSE CONTACTS
Secondary Close Contacts (SCCs) – that is, people who share a household with a Primary Close Contact (PCC) – no longer need to be quarantined.
While SCCs are allowed to return to work, at Western Health they are required to:
- Email whscovid-19staffclinicenquiries@wh.org.au advising you live with somebody who is currently a PCC
- Wear an N95 mask at work (including in non-clinical areas) until you receive clearance from staff clinic enquiries
- Undergo surveillance testing until you receuive clearance from staff clincia enquiries
PRIMARY CLOSE CONTACTS
Primary Close Contacts (PCCs) will now be automatically cleared on Day 14 if they have received a negative Day 13 test.
PCCs will receive the following text message from the relevant Public Health Unit at beginning of their quarantine period: “If you have been tested for COVID-19 on or after Day 13 of your quarantine period and receive a negative result, you can stop quarantining immediately. You will not be contacted by the Department. Your negative test result can act as proof that you have completed your quarantine period”.
PCC Clearance to Return to Work
Managers are responsible for authorising your return to work clearance for individual staff members. Returning PCCs are required to:
Email your manager (copying in whscovid-19staffclinicenquiries@wh.org.au) at the completion of your furlough period and include the following evidence:
– Confirmation you have no COVID-19 symptoms
– Confirmation you do not reside with a person who is currently COVID positive
– Confirmation that you have not had any additional exposures to someone who is COVID positive or other exposure site since you started quarantine
– Copy of your Day 13 COVID-19 test result
– A copy of your text message from the Department of Health advising that you may be automatically released from quarantine with a Negative Day 13 test result.
If you have any questions about these changes, please email whscovid-19staffclinicenquiries@wh.org.au.
Based on some requests from last week’s webinar I will now include some of the key information about Western Health’s COVID response in the Operations Bulletin, including the number of COVID-positive patients we are caring for. I did this during last year’s major wave, when Western Health was caring for high numbers of COVID patients. Now that we are once again receiving COVID patients (as part of the Department of Health’s COVID “streaming hospital” system), I’m committed to being transparent with you all. These figures will be included in the COVID Summary section of the bulletin, but are highlighted here for today:
COVID SUMMARY:
- Confirmed COVID ward inpatients at Western Health: 38
- Confirmed COVID ICU inpatients at Western Health: 8
- Vaccinations delivered by West Metro COVID Vaccination team: 7618
- COVID tests by our testing sites yesterday (including staff surveillance testing): 1868
- Percentage of Western Health staff vaccinated: 92% first dose and 80% second dose
Thanks for keeping updated – and for your ongoing hard work as this pandemic continues.
Regards
Natasha
COVID Summary
- Confirmed COVID ward inpatients at Western Health: 38
- Confirmed COVID ICU inpatients at Western Health: 8
- Vaccinations delivered by West Metro COVID Vaccination team: 7618
- COVID tests by our testing sites yesterday (including staff surveillance testing): 1868
- Percentage of Western Health staff vaccinated: 92% first dose and 80% second dose
Wellbeing Wednesdays
Wellbeing Wednesdays is just one part of the wellbeing program being offered to staff by People and Culture during the pandemic.
Tomorrow’s session (Wednesday, 2pm-2.45pm) is a general knowledge quiz called Virtual Fact or Fiction. Why not take some time out with your colleagues to participate?
The facilitator, Russell Fletcher, has spent the past 30 years involved in corporate training and entertainment. Russell has been the studio audience warm-up and contestant audition host for Family Feud and The Chase Australia. The session is guaranteed to be lots of fun.
Zoom meeting ID: 850 3065 3683
Password: 868084
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85030653683?pwd=T3hOUHN0Ujd2R0NCWGlKcTU2bVJ4QT09