Covid case at Wonthaggi Hospital

A patient who attended the Wonthaggi Emergency Department yesterday has been identified as Covid positive.

The patient was at the hospital between 7.30am and 10am, and is now isolating at home and being supported and monitored by the Gippsland Region Public Health Unit.

"Appropriate cleaning has been undertaken and the Hospital and ED continues to provide a safe environment for care - there is no risk to public safety and at this time, there are no further exposure sites related to this case," Bass Coast Health CEO Jan Child said.

However, she stressed that contact tracing was now underway by public health officials and further exposure sites could be listed once it was completed.

The incident put the hospital's Covid-safe plan to the test and Ms Child praised the response of staff.

"Huge praise to the ED team who quickly triaged the symptomatic patient, isolated them in our low pressure room, organised treatment, and then organised a terminal clean of the area as soon as the patient left," she said. 

"We have communicated with all staff who had direct contact with this patient, including staff from the front entrance, right through to the ED."

Ms Child said out of "an abundance of caution" some staff had been furloughed, in line with the Department of Health guidelines.

"I am really pleased that staff use of PPE was good, and that most staff had been fit tested, and were fully vaccinated. This is a great reminder that vaccination, fit testing, and proper use of PPE are the key things that will keep our staff and our workplace safe.

"In addition, communication is occurring with all patients that were in ED at the time, noting this is an extremely low risk situation because the Covid safe plan was fully activated successfully by our staff."

Ms Child encouraged anyone who was in the front reception or ED at Wonthaggi Hospital between 7.30am and 10am yesterday (Thursday, September 30) to be vigilant and look out for any symptoms, and get tested and isolate as required.  

"It’s a great time to remember the importance of the directives of the Chief Health Officer, all of which are in place to keep us safe," she said.

"Please also adhere to physical distancing, in this time of increasing community transmission. Avoid crowds, wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds and sanitise regularly, and get tested if you have even the mildest of symptoms.  Most importantly, be smart and get vaccinated."

Yesterday, Gippsland Region Public Health Unit confirmed one Covid positive case on Phillip Island. The latest case is from the Wonthaggi area.