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25 June 2021

Coronavirus Update

Friday 25 June 2021

Good afternoon all,

Please find the following information providing staff with an update on the COVID-19 pandemic.

Staff Restrictions
Staff are reminded not to enter any Mercy Connect facilities or sites if they:

  • Have been in the Greater Sydney (including Nepean Blue Mountains, Wollongong, Shellharbour, Illawarra and Central Coast) in the previous 14 days; or,
  • Have been in places of high concern in Greater Melbourne in the last 14 days; or,
  • Have COVID-19 symptoms – fever (37. 5°C or higher) or symptoms of COVID-19; or,
  • Are a close contact of a person with confirmed COVID-19 and are within their self-isolation period; or,
  • Live in a household with a person who is currently self-isolating; or,
  • Are waiting for the results of a COVID-19 test.

Further advice received from the NSW Health Public Health Response Branch includes:

  • There are new COVID-19 exposure locations in ACT.
  • There are new close or casual contact locations in Queensland.

If any staff have been in / or have visited any areas listed above or if any of the above criteria apply, they must stay at home until a negative test result has been received.

There have been new changes to restrictions announced for regional Victoria, including the states travel permit system which came into effect as of 11:59 pm Thursday 24 June. This information is changing, please refer to the following website for up to date information www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/travel-updates
For further updates on current locations that are of concern visit the Department of Health https://www.health.gov.au/news/health-alerts/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov-health-alert
In line with the advice that has been received from the Chief Medical Officer for residential disability care providers and home care service providers on the NSW Health Disability Support Providers webpage at  https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/covid-19/Pages/disability-support.aspx. Only two visitors per resident should be allowed each day.  Wherever possible, visits should be spaced to minimise the number of visitors in the residence at the same time. Visitors at Mercy Connect’s homes are still required to complete the COVID19 Questionnaire / Declaration prior to visiting the residence, check-in using the QR system and face masks are mandatory at all homes. A reminder that all external visitors/contractors must be approved by the CEO Office, or my office. A COVID-19 Declaration / Questionnaire form must be completed prior to the visit and returned to  reception@mercyconnect.org.au.
Covid Vaccine
It has been encouraging to see many Mercy Connect staff having their COVID Vaccination. All staff are encouraged to get their vaccination. You can book your vaccinations via the Eligibility Checker.

We can all help slow the spread of COVID-19 and protect others by:

As school holiday’s approach, I encourage staff to keep monitoring the government advice on restrictions and areas of concern. Please note that this current COVID-19 outbreak is an evolving situation, and further restrictions may be put into place without prior consultation or warning, subject to government advice or alerts.

Together we grow.

Caroline Cummins
Executive Leader Clinical Services
Acting Chief Executive Officer