RESTRICTIONS have been reintroduced at the King Island Hospital and Medical Centre following an increasing number of Covid-19 cases across Tasmania. There has been a rise in Covid outbreaks, level of transmission and escalating Covid positive case numbers across the north west of the State.
It’s prompted the King Island Hospital and Medical Centre to restrict visiting at and introduce a surgical mask or N95 mandate. Cloth masks are not permitted.
The changes include only allowing one visitor once a day to any acute inpatient for an hour, one support person in the EFRU and two visitors once a day to Netherby residents for an hour. All Visitors must be double vaccinated and show proof on entry. The exemption is for terminal patients.
The Director of Nursing (DON) will assess this request on a case by case base. Masks are mandated and all staff & contractors will continue to wear N95 masks and eye wear in all internal areas of hospital. All people seeking to enter the facility will need to wear a surgical mask and cloth masks are not allowed.
Any staff member or visitor is welcome to take a voluntary Rapid Antigen Test prior to entering the facility. If staff are concerned that someone has misinterpreted the screening questions and are visiting or working with symptoms, they will be reported to the DON for follow up. Hand hygiene is also important so please ensure you do hand hygiene on entry and exit.
People have been urged to stay away from the hospital if they have Covid-19 symptoms or are unwell – unless they require urgent medical assistance. As things change with Covid outbreaks the hospital may need to increase or decrease screening accordingly. The hospital said its priority was to keep patients, residents and staff safe.
It has thanked the community for its understanding and cooperation. For more information visit: www. coronavirus.tas.gov.au