Published on 10 November 2022

Over the past few weeks Western Health has seen an increase in COVID presentations – and increasing numbers of cases among staff – which is in line with the next anticipated COVID ‘wave’.

As a result, our Infectious Diseases and Infection Prevention teams have recommended the following changes to our mask guidelines for staff, effective immediately:

  • N95 masks must be worn in all clinical settings (including in offices within wards, and at nurses’ stations)
  • N95 masks must also be worn in any face-to-face meetings within clinical teams, and in other clinical workplace groups. (Zoom meetings are encouraged)
  • We are also strongly encouraging staff in non-clinical areas across our sites to wear masks (either surgical or N95)

We are aware that some health services are not changing their mask guidelines. However, considering our own risk assessments for our local catchments, and the increasing rates of presentations and outbreaks in our communities, Western Health is adopting this strategy in order to minimise the further spread of COVID.

If you missed Wednesday’s COVID webinar update, hosted by Head of Infectious Diseases Dr Marion Kainer and Infection Prevention Operations Manager Maureen Canning, please click this link to view. The webinar covered the current status of COVID in our communities, and we also heard some powerful staff stories about their experiences with long COVID.

Regards

John Ferraro
Chief Operating Officer