As many of you will be aware, four new community-transmitted cases of COVID have been identified in Melbourne’s northern suburbs. Highpoint Shopping Centre, which has many links to Western Health’s staff, patients and communities, has been listed as one of the main exposure sites.
Our Western Public Health Unit (WPHU) is taking a lead role in the complex contact tracing process that is now under way.
It is crucial that you are aware that Highpoint has been listed as a Tier 1 exposure site, as a result of one of the positive cases visiting the shopping centre last Thursday, May 20, between 5pm-8pm. This means that anybody who visited any location within the shopping centre during that period must get tested for COVID and isolate for 14 days.
As a result of this latest outbreak, Western Health’s COVID leadership team has put in place the following strategies, in line with Department of Health guidelines:
Any staff who were at Highpoint Shopping Centre in Maribyrnong on Thursday, May 20, between 5pm-8pm must:
- NOT attend work
- get tested for COVID-19
- isolate for 14 days, or until further notice
- contact COVID Staff Enquiries at whscovid-19staffclinicenquiries@wh.org.au
If somebody from your household works at Highpoint or visited Highpoint during this period do not attend work and contact whscovid-19staffclinicenquiries@wh.org.au for further advice
We ask all staff to regularly check the Department of Health’s list of exposure sites, which will be updated as more information about this outbreak becomes available.
Masks
We are now strongly encouraging staff to wear masks in administrative work areas at all Western Health sites. Given the source of the latest outbreak has not yet been identified, it is important that we protect ourselves and each other from this unknown source.
Masks remain compulsory in all clinical and public-facing areas.
COVID Testing
Information about Western Health’s COVID testing sites (including at Sunshine Hospital, Melbourne Showgrounds and Sunbury) can be found here.
Western Health staff can access the Sunshine Hospital testing clinic at the Pod 1 entrance, via the main hospital entrance (outside lifts 16 and 17 of the Acute Services Building). The Sunshine COVID testing Clinic will operate extended hours tomorrow (Tuesday, May 25) opening for a staff only hour from 9am to 10am.
Please note that testing hours at the Melbourne Showgrounds have been extended tomorrow (Tuesday, May 25) to 8am-8pm.
COVID Vaccinations
This outbreak is yet another reminder of the importance of COVID vaccinations. Staff (as well as eligible members of your families and the general public) can book in for vaccinations here.
Thanks for reading. I look forward to updating you as more information becomes available.
Regards
Natasha