Whitehorse coronavirus infections revealed by government data as community urged to stay home
Hospital visitor restrictions have been put on Box Hill Hospital – also a coronavirus testing centre – to protect patients from the deadly disease. This comes as numbers of positive cases rise across Whitehorse.
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For the third day in a row there have been no new cases of coronavirus confirmed in Whitehorse, with just one across Victoria.
The municipality’s total number of COVID-19 infections remains on 22, with 1302 cases confirmed across the state.
Meanwhile, Whitehorse Council is considering a range of options in relation to the employment of staff whose roles have been impacted by service closures required by State and Federal Governments.
This includes redeployment, stand down and leave options, a council spokesman said.
Authorities have also acted to put restrictions on Box Hill Hospital to combat the spread of COVID-19.
Visitors are being asked to think twice before coming to see family or friends who are patients at the Nelson St hospital, in a bid to protect the wards from the deadly disease.
People are being asked to consider whether a phone call to a patient will do instead of a visit to their family member of friend.
They’re also asked to avoid visiting people made vulnerable by their age or health issues.
Visiting times for urgent cases have been restricted to between 4-8pm, with a limit of two visitors a day for a maximum of two hours a day per patient. No visitors under 16 are allowed.
Anyone attending the hospital is asked to wash their hands before entering and exiting the facility.
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Eastern Health’s chief medical officer Alison Dwyer said the organisation “prides itself on providing great care”.
“COVID-19 is like nothing our health services have ever dealt with before. Like all services, we find ourselves in uncharted waters and are constantly monitoring the needs of our community and making decisions in line with Federal and State Government recommendations,” she said.
“Our expert clinicians are guiding our decisions, in line with Department of Health and Human Services advice. Our dedicated medical, nursing and allied health staff are well trained, and continue to provide the care that is required for every patient at Eastern Health.”