Covid Tier 2 exposure site at Wonthaggi Hospital
The Caltex service station at Caldermeade has also been listed as a Tier 2 site.
It's a timely reminder of just how close the Covid threat is, with the short stay unit at Wonthaggi Hospital identified as a Tier 2 exposure site yesterday (Friday, September 3).
Bass Coast Health said they were notified on Friday of the exposure which occurred on Monday, August 30 from 7.40pm to 8.14pm, however the community was not at risk.
The exposure was due to a positive COVID test from a contractor attending to transport a patient to another hospital.
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, confirming there were no other patients in the unit at the time.
“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 were tested and isolated. All have returned negative test results.
Ms Child said all staff were well and asymptomatic, and all had been vaccinated.
She confirmed all were wearing the appropriate PPE and had followed the hospital's Covid protocols.
Second exposure
The Caltex service station at Caldermeade has also been listed as a Tier 2 exposure site on August 30, from 6.52pm – 7.25pm, due to the same contractor.
Ms Child said the incident was a “good wakeup call" that COVID-19 could easily “creep out from Melbourne”.
“We know we still have a fair way to go with vaccination levels in Bass Coast, and we are going to have these things happen. If we all do the right thing, we are able to keep ourselves safe.”
She encouraged everyone who was eligible to get vaccinated as soon as possible.
“We have plenty of AstraZeneca available and I strongly encourage people to book in.”
She sought to reassure people with vaccination concerns, saying there was more information available and health professionals were more alert to any potential risks.
“A lot of work has been done with AstraZeneca. The risk was already rare and getting rarer.
“It’s inevitable that we will get more exposure sites, so please don’t hold back waiting for a different vaccine. From a risk benefit perspective, a vaccine in the arm is better.”
Ms Child said there was no indication yet if BCH would receive any of the latest batch of Pfizer announced by the Prime Minister this week.
To date, Bass Coast Health has administered about 16,000 vaccinations, at its busiest, doing up to 500 per day.
She also urged anyone experiencing any symptoms to come forward and get tested immediately.
“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.”
