As you may be aware from media coverage, a second local case of COVID-19 has been identified in NSW. In response to this, Western Health is putting in place the following strategies to keep our staff and visitors safe:
- Any staff who were in the Greater Sydney area on or since Monday, April 26 are asked to contact COVID Staff Enquiries at whscovid-19staffclinicenquiries@wh.org.au
- Any staff who have visited the Greater Sydney area on or since Monday, April 26 but did not visit a listed exposure site, are recommended to seek COVID testing. However you are not required to quarantine and may continue to attend work while waiting a result. Staff members who visited any locations identified as specific exposure sites must quarantine for 14 days since they last visited that location and contact Department of Health. Please follow the Victorian Department of Health guidance. A list of sites is found here.
- Operating hours for the Sunshine Hospital COVID-19 Testing Clinic (formerly Respiratory Assessment Clinic) are 10am-5.30pm, 7 days a week. Western Health staff may continue to access the clinic via the Pod 1 entrance. Entry is via the main hospital (outside lifts 16 and 17 of the Acute Services Building).
All existing inpatients and patients presenting to WH Emergency Departments should be screened and asked if they have visited the Greater Sydney area on or since Monday, April 26. Any inpatient or ED patient who discloses they have visited the Greater Sydney area on or since Monday, April 26 should be tested for COVID-19 and isolated until a negative result is received. Patients who have visited a listed exposure site should be tested for COVID-19 and quarantined. Please check with the de-isolation HMO on 8395 9048 or on switch 8345 6666in relation to latest guidance prior to de-isolation of patients as advice may change over time.
As part of COVID Screening, all patients, outpatients and visitors should be screened prior to entry and asked whether they have visited listed exposure sites.
We appreciate that staff may have travel plans to travel to NSW and that the current situation may be creating some anxiety. Those intending to go to NSW should be aware of the risk at present and that they may need to get tested and quarantine on return to Victoria. We would advise people to keep themselves informed of the changing advice from the Department of Health regarding travel.
We also want to remind everyone of the appropriate use of PPE. Masks must be worn in all clinical and public areas across all sites. Masks are optional in administrative areas where you can retain a minimum of 1.5m physical distance. All visitors are required to wear masks.
Regards
Natasha