26 July 2021
Hi everyone,
I am pleased to advise that we only have two new cases today, one new case which has been linked to Modbury cluster, along with another new case who is an international traveller. This brings the total number for the Modbury cluster to 19.
There has been additional sites added to the exposure sites one that is tied to a testing site. I strongly recommend you visit the SA Health contact tracing website regularly for the most up-to-date information. This is another reminder that using the COVIDSAfe app to check in at locations allows CDCB contact tracers to very quickly contact anyone who has been at an exposure site.
I am also very pleased to advise that the Premier announced that we will begin a gradual reduction of restrictions from 12.01am Wednesday. I know that many of the parents in our organisation will be very pleased to hear that schools will reopen on Wednesday.
Further details will be released tomorrow however we do know the following:
- we will still be remaining with the 1 person per 4 square metres density rule
- eating and drinking will only be permitted while people are seated indoors and outdoors
- masks will still be required for high-risk settings such as healthcare and become another line of defence more broadly with further information to be released by the government tomorrow
- household gatherings will be limited to 10 people which includes those in the household
- weddings and funerals limited to 50 people
- gyms can reopen but will be limited to 1 person per 8 square metres.
The upcoming week
While lock-down will be ending, we are still in a very dynamic situation and need to remain alert – especially with the RAH being the COVID-19 designated hospital. We need to take this situation one week at a time.
Wherever possible staff are encouraged to continue to limit face-to-face meetings and use Microsoft Teams. In addition, please ensure that physical distancing is maintained by applying the 1 person per 4 square metre rule in all areas including meeting rooms and offices.
We encourage all of those who are currently working from home to continue to do so. While working at home, staff are encouraged to complete mandatory training within Learning Central. Look out on our Facebook workforce group for daily quizzes to help you prepare for accreditation.
The IMT have met this afternoon and are in the process of working out the next steps for our outpatient and elective surgery areas. I know you may be keen to get back to it however we need to remain cautious and take a measured approach in reintroducing people back to our sites. It is also an opportunity to once again learn from the things we have been able to do differently that might in actual fact be worth hanging onto such as tele health and other innovative ways of working and providing care. Please hold strong for now until we provide you with further information.
Clinical operational decision matrix for patients in CALHN in a COVID context
This matrix has been developed to support clinical operational decision making for patient care in the context of COVID and outlines clear definitions, organisation wide terminology. It provides clinical staff with a framework to support decision making for infection control requirements, admitting location and admitting team.
I encourage you to use this framework that was developed by CALHN clinicians.
COVID-19 vaccinations
Tomorrow we will open a one day only pop-up clinic at TQEH to make it easier for staff on the COVID-19 pathway who are based at TQEH to receive their vaccination. The clinic will run from 11am to 2pm and is located in 5A. No appointment required just turn up.
We have had several questions about staff family receiving vaccinations. Household members of staff working on the COVID-19 pathway – which includes RAH & TQEH ED, and RAH ICU, Anaesthetics, 6GG, 102 and COVID-19 active wards – are eligible to receive vaccination in line with the Australian Government recommendations. Eligible COVID-19 pathway household members can utilise the Wayville drop-in service. This is only available to those who live with or are in an intimate relationship with staff that work in the above locations as they carry the greatest risk of exposure to COVID-19.
Red zone mandatory vaccinations
We have received many questions regarding the mandatory COVID-19 vaccination requirements due to start on 4 August. As we explained in our livestream on Friday, we are still seeking clarification about this requirement and we will communicate with you as soon as we have more information.
However, I do believe that it is in all our best interests to have all staff – that are medically able to – to be vaccinated against COVID-19. It protects you, your family and our patients. We know some of you still have questions and we are putting together a series of FAQs videos to help provide you with answers from our team of experts.
In the meantime, please go get vaccinated if you are yet to do so. You can drop-in to the Wayville Clinic or any of these locations to get your vaccination. Speak to your manager about how you can arrange to go during work time, and the transport options available to get you to Wayville.
PPE
I would like to once again reassure you that we have enough PPE and are prepared to respond should we see an increase in COVID-19 positive patients.
As of today, we have 8,783,750 N95 masks, 5,718,955 surgical L3 masks, 339,300 surgical L1 masks, 345,090 eye protection and 2,113,070 surgical gowns available on site.
We also have a further 7-day supply of PPE in a secure location that can be accessed on request of the IMT should we see a sudden increase in demand.
I would like to extend my thanks to our fit testing team within clinical worker health who worked over the weekend to ensure that our staff are protected. It’s your good work that inspired the hashtag #BeLikeUs last year on Twitter following our great fit testing results. Well done to our Clinical Worker Health Unit – you are the best!
I will provide you with another update tomorrow once we have further clarification about the step-down in restrictions and how they will affect our business.
Thank you to everyone who have been involved over the past week in our COVID-19 response – it has been a very organised and professional response. It’s like we have done this before!
As always, please visit the COVID-19 staff portal for the latest COVID-19 clinical resources, tools and FAQs, and the Workforce Facebook page for the latest updates.
Lesley Dwyer
Chief Executive Officer
Central Adelaide Local Health Network