On Wednesday the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the novel coronavirus outbreak a pandemic and the WA Government released its Pandemic Plan.
COVID clinics have been established at Royal Perth, Sir Charles Gardiner and Fiona Stanley hospitals to provide testing for people who
- have returned from overseas travel in the last 14 days OR
- are a contact of a confirmed COVID-19 case OR
- believe they have may have been in close contact with a person infected with COVID-19.
Patients who are tested should remain isolated at home, until they receive their test results and further medical advice. For the latest advice, information and resources, go to www.health.gov.au.
What do we do?
Our focus is on providing timely and accurate information to our staff and customers based on the advice of the WA Department of Health. Staff access information by email and customers are encouraged to ensure their email address and mobile phone number is up to date to aid in providing timely updates. Updated contact details can be sent to hello@interchangewa.org.au.
Following the advice of the WA Department of Health and Australian Department of Health Interchange have advised our employees about
- the isolation and quarantine periods,
- information on when employees should not come to work, and
- what to do when they, or the people we support, experience flu-like symptoms or the symptoms of Coronavirus.
We have asked all staff to advise their supervisor immediately if they, or the people we support, are feeling unwell or show symptoms of Coronavirus. Symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, sore throat, cough and/or shortness of breath, like the symptoms of the common cold. In severe cases, the virus can cause pneumonia with severe acute respiratory distress. From what we know now about COVID-19, the symptoms can occur between 2 and 14 days from exposure to the virus.
Our staff have been advised to continue to practice good hygiene and other measures to protect themselves and our customers against infection. On the advice of the Department of Health we are not requesting our staff to wear masks at this time as masks are not recommended for use by healthy members of the public for the prevention of infections like Coronavirus. Our most effective controls are handwashing with soap and social distancing wherever practicable. All staff will soon be completing an on-line refresher course around infection control.
Interchange has appointed a Pandemic Management Team to oversee the situation, monitor the updates and act accordingly.
If you suspect you may have Coronavirus symptoms or may have had close contact with a person who has been diagnosed with Coronavirus, you should contact the Coronavirus Health Information Line on 1800 020 080.
To avoid risk of spreading infection we ask Interchange staff or customers who are concerned they have flu-like symptoms or have been exposed to Coronavirus, to contact their Doctor or the Coronavirus Health Information Line before participating any Interchange services.
