With the number of community COVID cases remaining relatively high, I know that many of you are feeling the impact outside of work. Many schools, childcare centres and residential aged care facilities in our region, and across Melbourne, are dealing with outbreaks. As of this morning, there were more than 11,000 active cases across Victoria.
For this reason, protecting patients and staff at Western Health remains as important as ever. Please continue to follow the familiar, basics steps that will help to keep us safe – socially distance, wear appropriate PPE, get your booster vaccine when eligible, fill out the daily attestation, and please use QR codes every time you use a tea or break room. There is also the COVID-Normal Daily Practice page on the microsite, which is a one-stop shop for all the things you need to do each day to keep safe during COVID Peak.
With state borders opening up and changes being made to quarantine guidelines for international travel, please keep updated with Department of Health guidelines on travel. If you’re planning international travel, please see more detailed guidelines in the bulletin below.
Finally, thanks again to everyone for your ongoing dedication. I understand many of us are feeling tired after the challenges of 2020 and 2021, and I want to say thank you for the lengths you’ve been going to for our patients. Let’s keep looking out for each other as we head towards the festive season.
Regards
Natasha
Covid summary
Confirmed COVID ward inpatients at Western Health: 24
Confirmed COVID ICU inpatients at Western Health: 5
Confirmed COVID patients receiving Western Health care in the community: 100
COVID tests by our testing sites yesterday: 1193
Staff accessing surveillance testing yesterday: 431
Vaccinations delivered yesterday by West Metro COVID Vaccinations team: overall (1,130,671) and yesterday (562)
Day leave during COVID peak
As Christmas approaches, we have received several requests regarding leave for current inpatients.
Approval for Day Leave
Day leave can be facilitated for patients as long as their multidisciplinary treating team approves AND they do not have any COVID-19 risk factors as detailed below:
- They are not suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19
- They do not have any COVID-19 symptoms
- They are not awaiting COVID-19 test results
- The patient’s family and friends who they will spend time with on day leave do not have any of these COVID-19 risk factors
Surveillance testing on return from day leave
- Screen for COVID-19 using the EMR screening tool before and after a patient’s day leave
- Complete a PCR swab 48 hours after returning from day leave AND on Day 5 after returning from day leave
This handout may also be given to patients and family members about keeping COVID safe.
Staff returning from international travel
Department of Health guidance relating to international passengers entering Victoria has evolved over the past week.
Anyone arriving in Victoria who has been to an extreme risk country for Omicron variant of concern in the past 14 days must undertake 14 days of hotel quarantine.
Anyone who is FULLY Vaccinated and has not travelled from an extreme risk country
- Must quarantine at home for 72hrs after arriving in Victoria
- Must obtain a negative PCR test within 24hrs of arriving in Victoria
- Must obtain a negative PCR test between Day 5 and Day 7 after arriving in Victoria
- Healthcare workers may return to work on site from Day 4 after arriving in Victoria provided:
- They obtain a negative PCR test within the 24hrs prior each shift on site (until Day 7); OR They obtain a negative RAT test on the day of each shift on site (until Day 7)
- Additional surveillance testing is also recommended until Day 14
Anyone who has a medical exemption:
- Must NOT enter a hospital for 14 days after arriving in Victoria
Staff planning international travel are strongly encouraged to contact COVID Staff Enquiries for individual and current advice whscovid-19staffclinicenquiries@wh.org.au .
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.