By Alesha Capone
Ninety-one Werribee Mercy Hospital staff have been furloughed since its emergency department was declared a tier-three COVID exposure site last week.
A Mercy Health spokesperson said that a patient arrived at the hospital during the afternoon of Thursday, August 19 and was transferred directly from the ambulance bay through the emergency department to the hospital’s resuscitation bay.
“The patient was treated as a suspected COVID-19 case, tested for the virus, and returned a positive result,” the spokesperson said.
“All staff and patients who were in the emergency department at the same time that the COVID-positive patient was in the adjoining resuscitation area are being notified by hospital staff.
“They are being told to follow Department of Health directions to isolate and await advice from the Public Health Unit.
“Given the extremely contagious nature of the COVID-19 Delta strain, we have taken a cautious approach and furloughed all staff members who worked or passed through the emergency department and resuscitation area during the four-hour patient stay.”
The spokesperson said on Monday that none of the furloughed employees have returned a positive COVID-19 test result.
Werribee Mercy’s emergency department has undergone a deep clean, the spokesperson said.
“Our hospital is still open and it is safe for patients to come to hospital for their regular care and appointments.”
“Our staff members are doing an exceptional job caring for our community and complying with all COVID-safe processes and procedures in the most difficult of situations.”
The Eagle Stadium drive-through and indoor COVID vaccination site, announced by the state government last week, is set to open for booked appointments from Thursday.
The state government is aiming to administer 1 vaccine million doses within five weeks.
“We’re making it even easier for Wyndham residents to get vaccinated and help us reach that goal of 1
million vaccine doses with more vaccination centres, more booths and more bookings in the system for
AstraZeneca,” Werribee MP Tim Pallas said.
Altona MP Jill Hennessy and Tarneit Sarah Connolly also welcomed the news.
“My staff and I are under 40 and have been vaccinated with AstraZeneca – with plenty of appointments now available, I encourage everyone to do the same,” Ms Connolly said.
Eighty-five residents of the 3029 postcode have COVID-19 at the moment, along with 21 residents of the 3030 postcode and five residents of the 3027 postcode.
