The Short Stay Unit at Wonthaggi Hospital was identified as a Tier 2 COVID exposure site on Monday, 30 August from 7.40pm to 8.14pm.
This exposure was due to a positive COVID test from a contractor attending to facilitate a patient transport. The contractor was appropriately screened and was asymptomatic at the time. The patient who was transported was made aware of their exposure and is safe and isolating.
“There is no risk to the local community, or to any other patients, or to any other workers or community members,” Bass Coast Health CEO Jan Child reassured.
“However this incident has highlighted that Delta is a real danger to our community and an outbreak could happen so easily. That’s why it’s vital that the community gets vaccinated against COVID-19 and follows the Public Health directives of wearing a face mask, physically distancing, sanitising your hands and avoiding crowds.”
Sixteen staff members who were potentially exposed during that time were quickly identified and all undertook a COVID test and isolated. All results have now been confirmed as negative.
Ms Child said staff contacted were well and asymptomatic, and all had been vaccinated. Staff were wearing the appropriate PPE and the training and protocols they have been living for the past months in their day to day work, paid off and kept everyone safe.
“This incident has reinforced just how important it is that we all follow the rules and all be vaccinated against COVID,” she said.
“The Gippsland Region Public Health Unit has confirmed the risk to these workers and the patient is low as the contractor was wearing appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) at the time, and all staff were wearing N95s masks and most staff were wearing full level 3 PPE.”
As per usual policy at BCH, staff will continue to get tested for COVID if they experience any symptoms.
“I want to commend the BCH team and Gippsland Region Public Health Unit for the very rapid response to the exposure,” Ms Child said.
“This is a really timely reminder that COVID can make its way anywhere; no areas in the State are immune, because people can be asymptomatic for several days. All of us must play a part in reducing the spread by being vaccinated, following the directives, and getting tested with any symptoms.”