The health service went into stage four lockdown from 11.59 pm Friday, February 12, which included imposing visitor restrictions and limiting staff movement between departments.
NCN Health chief executive Jacque Phillips said visitors and volunteers would not be permitted into the hospital or residential aged care until at least midnight Wednesday, February 17, or as otherwise stated by department.
“NCN Health is closely following advice from DHHS, we anticipate the restrictions on health care services, including rules around visitors, may extend beyond this week,” she said.
She said there were a number of exemptions to the visitor restrictions.
“Some exceptions apply to visitors who are providing end of life care, parent and guardians of a minor attending the hospital, interpreters and visitors who are considered essential for the purpose of providing emotional, social, spiritual or behavioural support,” she said.
“If you have any questions or concerns around visiting, we encourage you to contact the health facility directly and speak with the nurse unit manager or director of clinical services.”
Ms Phillips said the focus of the health service remained to keep the residents, patients, staff and community safe.
“To achieve this, we have to keep working together, this means wearing a mask when you leave your home, practicing social distancing, staying at least 1.5 m apart from each other, following good hand hygiene.”
She said of upmost importance was that community members stay home when they felt unwell with any symptoms of COVID-19 and arranged to get tested.
Free COVID-19 swab testing is available Monday to Friday in Nathalia, Cobram and Numurkah.
Testing is available to people who are showing symptoms, however mild, of COVID-19 including; fever, chills or sweats, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath or runny nose.
● NCN Health Nathalia 5866 9444, Monday to Friday from 11 am to noon by appointment● NCN Health Cobram 5871 0777 and select option six, Monday to Friday from 1.30 pm to 3.30 pm by appointment● NCN Health Numurkah car park, Monday to Friday from 9 am to 10 am, no appointment is necessary.
For more information on Victoria’s stage four lockdown, visit www.dhhs.vic.gov.au
For information and updates on visiting restrictions at NCN Health Nathalia, Cobram and Numurkah campuses, visit ncnhealth.org.au/covid-19/
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