COVID rules still in place at hospital

COVID safe measures still apply for visitors to the West Gippsland Hospital as indicators show the state is at the start of another wave of the virus.

Although the state’s pandemic orders have been withdrawn West Gippsland healthcare Group chief executive officer Dan Weeks said case numbers were on the rise.

He stressed that vaccinations, wearing of masks and staying at home when sick were the most effective ways of reducing transmission and deaths, which also protected the health system.

In addition to the measures to protect patients and staff at the hospital there are also restrictions applying at the associated consulting suites and WGHG’s Cooinda Lodge at Warragul and Andrews House aged care at Trafalgar.

Restrictions may vary according to what sections people want to visit but there are some over-arching requirements.

They include the wearing of a mask at all times, entry for in-patient visits must be via the hospital’s main entrance, hand sanitising on arrival and when using lifts, stair rails and when entering or leaving a patient’s room, maintaining a physical distance of

1.5 metres from others and following staff instructions at all times.

The numbers of people that can visit are limited in most areas of the buildings due to the physical distancing requirements and people should not visit if they are unwell.

All visitors are given a surgical mask on arrival.

Full details on the COVID safe rules in the various wards, units and departments are available on the WGHG’s website and Facebook page under the heading “Changes to infection control measures at hospital”.

Inquiries can also be made by telephoning the hospital.