Hospital patient and visitor COVID-19 policy
Visitors are not required to wear a mask on entry to the Hospital, but it is recommended that masks be worn if visiting vulnerable patients or if there are any respiratory symptoms. In some circumstances a staff member may request visitors to wear a mask. We appreciate your co-operation.
Visitors will be permitted if they:
· have not tested positive for COVID-19 within the last 7 days.
· have not tested positive for another acute respiratory infection in the last 7 days.
· are not a high risk or household/close contact of someone who has had COVID-19 within the previous 7 days.
· do not have COVID-19 or other respiratory infection symptoms.
· have not arrived from overseas within the last 7 days.
Patients who have travelled overseas within the last 7 days, should advise the hospital or their doctor before their scheduled appointment or surgery.
Screening: Patients being admitted are not required to have a PCR COVID-19 test 72 hours prior to admission unless they are:
· Considered a close contact
· Have infectious COVID-19 symptoms
· Have returned from overseas in the last 7 days.
The PCR negative result will need to be presented on admission. If in any event you receive a positive result or have tested positive within the previous 7 weeks, kindly contact your surgeon as soon as possible.
FAQs
What is this virus?
Coronaviruses can make humans and animals sick. Some coronaviruses can cause illness similar to the common cold and others can cause more serious diseases, including Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS). The virus first seen in Hubei Province, China is called ‘novel’ because it is new. COVID-19 has now been declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO) and there has been a significant increase in new cases across many countries in Europe and around the world. It is likely that the virus originally came from an animal, and there is evidence that it can spread from person-to-person.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms include fever OR an acute respiratory infection and include (but are not limited to) cough, sore throat, fatigue and shortness of breath with or without a fever.
How is the coronavirus spread?
The coronavirus is most likely to spread from person-to-person by:
- Direct close contact with a person whilst they are infectious;
- Close contact with a person with a confirmed infection coughs or sneezes; or
- Touching objects or surfaces (such as doorknobs or tables or face masks) contaminated from a cough or sneeze from a person with a confirmed infection, and then touching your mouth or face.
Most infections are transmitted by people when they have symptoms. There is now some evidence that people could be contagious before showing symptoms.
How can I help prevent the spread of COVID-19?
Practising good hand and sneeze/cough hygiene is the best defence against most viruses. You should:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water before and after eating as well as after attending the toilet
- Avoid contact with others (including touching, kissing, hugging, and other intimate contact)
- cough and sneeze into your elbow
- If you are asked to wear a surgical face mask, after putting it on to cover your nose and mouth, do not touch the front of the mask and remove it using the ear loops or head straps.
- Dispose of the used mask into a waste bin and perform hand hygiene with soap and water or alcohol hand rub.
Where are the COVID-19 clinics and testing centres located?
COVID-19 clinics and assessment centres have been established at various sites across Australia. Please click on the relevant link below to view the services available in your state:
- Click here for COVID-19 clinics in New South Wales
- Click here for information about COVID-19 clinics in Queensland
- Click here for COVID-19 assessment centres in Victoria
What does isolate in your home mean?
People who are recommended to be isolated should not attend public places, in particular work, school, childcare or university. Only people who usually live in the household should be in the home. Do not allow visitors into the home. There is no need to wear masks in the home. Where possible, get others such as friends or family, who are not required to be isolated to get food or other necessities for you. If you must leave the home, such as to seek medical care, wear a surgical mask if you have one.
How is the virus treated?
There is no specific treatment for coronaviruses. Antibiotics are not effective against viruses. Most of the symptoms can be treated with supportive medical care. Some people will require hospitalisation.
What are the restrictions on visitors at Macquarie hospitals and clinics?
Given the evolving situation, we are restricting visitors to our facilities to one visitor per patient per day.
Should I wear a face mask?
A face mask will not protect you against becoming infected. While the use of face masks can help to prevent transmission of disease from infected patients to others, face masks are not currently recommended for use by healthy members of the public for the prevention of infections like novel coronavirus. If you are unwell with cold and flu-like symptoms, then a mask can be worn when you attend the hospital or GP office for assessment.
Where can I get more information?
Visit the Australian Government Department of Health homepage at www.health.gov.au.