Latest COVID-19 statistics
Victorian COVID-19 data dashboard bit.ly/3j5vJwC
Healthcare Worker COVID-19 data dashboard bit.ly/3jQT5q4
Victorian Chief Health Officer daily update bit.ly/34Et8Ug
Victorian Chief Health Officer daily media release bit.ly/2EDiQLb
Victorian Government’s vaccination data dashboard bit.ly/319HzPq
Federal Government’s national and aged care vaccination data bit.ly/3vTkJcR
Restrictions reintroduced
Responding to COVID-19 cases in the community the Victorian Government announced a seven-day lockdown from 8pm, Thursday 5 August. There are now only five reasons to leave home:
- getting the food and the supplies you need (within 5km of your home)
- exercising – once a day for two hours (withing 5km of your home)
- care or caregiving, including medical care or to get a COVID-19 test
- authorised work or education if you can’t do it from home
- to get vaccinated at the nearest possible location.
Victorians may also leave home to visit their intimate partner, their single social bubble buddy, or in an emergency – including those at risk of family violence. The 5km limit for shopping and exercise does not apply to permitted work or education, when giving or receiving care, getting a COVID-19 vaccination, or visiting an intimate partner or your single social bubble buddy.
Read the restrictions via bit.ly/3gNFlOG
Read the Victorian Government media release Seven day lock down to keep Victorians Safe via bit.ly/3rYPzzy
COVID risk rating for all metropolitan health services COVID ACTIVE (red)
All metropolitan health services must follow the COVID ACTIVE (red) guidance document.
The document provides information about PPE levels for all clinical and non-clinical scenarios, student clinical placements, workforce mobility, workforce daily attestations, and visitors.
Read ‘COVID Response Guidance – COVID ACTIVE – all health services in metropolitan Victoria’ (5 August 2021) via bit.ly/3xmsYhe
Information and risk ratings in Victorian health services bit.ly/2SrFflz
COVID risk rating for all regional health services COVID ALERT (orange)
All regional health services must follow the COVID ALERT (orange) guidance document.
The document provides information about PPE levels for all clinical and non-clinical scenarios, student clinical placements, workforce mobility, workforce daily attestations, and visitors.
Read ‘COVID Response Guidance – COVID ALERT – all health services in metropolitan Victoria’ (5 August 2021) via bit.ly/3fDRpk6
Information and risk ratings in Victorian health services bit.ly/2SrFflz
COVID-19 Vaccines webinar for healthcare workers – part 2
Tuesday 17 August ǀ 6:00-7:30pm
No cost. Register via bit.ly/3rY2LEP
Keep yourself informed about the latest accurate vaccine information as well as the latest on the roll out.
Hear the latest on the vaccine rollout, answer your questions about safety and side effects, and build confidence in answering challenging questions from patients. This webinar will focus on:
- The latest information on the vaccine rollout
- Addressing your questions about safety, side effects and variants
- COVID-19 vaccines, fertility, pregnancy and breastfeeding
- COVID-19 vaccines and teenagers
- Answering challenging questions from patients
Speakers will include Dr Tom Schulz, Senior Medical Advisor, COVID-19 Vaccination Program Victorian Department of Health; Dr Anita Muñoz, GP and Chair, Royal Australian College of General Practitioners Victoria, Dr Vijay Roach, Obstetrician and Gynaecologist and President, Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists; and A/Prof Margie Danchin Consultant Paediatrician General Medicine and Immunisation Service, Royal Children’s Hospital.
Watch COVID-19 vaccines – webinar part 1 via bit.ly/3fBbeIQ
Priority Pfizer vaccination appointments for nurses, midwives and carers
All nurses, midwives and aged care personal care workers, regardless of age and are yet to receive their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, are eligible to receive the Pfizer vaccine at a Victorian Government vaccine hub.
If you have already received your first AstraZeneca dose the advice is to receive the second dose of AstraZeneca.
You must use the phone number or online appointment link below to access the Pfizer priority appointments.
How to book a priority group COVID-19 vaccine appointment
- Read the information about the booking process and the vaccines on the Victorian Government website bit.ly/3dZjuC6 then
- Make an online booking via the Victorian Government’s website – the booking system allows you to access appointments as part of a priority group. https://portal.cvms.vic.gov.au/
or
- Call the Victorian Government Coronavirus Hotline on 1800 675 398 and tell the hotline operator you are part of the health care worker or aged care worker priority group.
Information about the vaccines
- Federal Government information about the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine bit.ly/3eAGztR
- Federal Government information about the Pfizer vaccine bit.ly/32Vry0w
- What happens after I am vaccinated? bit.ly/3hTYI9u
- Australian Academy of Science – COVID-19 facts hub bit.ly/3hXgI2C
- Therapeutic Goods Administration – bit.ly/3uli9up
- World Health Organisation – vaccines explained bit.ly/3vr6jjQ
- National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance bit.ly/2QT6nK7
- Australian Government translated information about COVID-19 vaccines bit.ly/3qRfEyc
- On the Record – COVID-19 vaccination FAQs answered bit.ly/3ekLike
Exposure sites
Check this page regularly bit.ly/35YOUnv
Tier 1 – get tested immediately and quarantine for 14 days from exposure. You should also contact the Department of Health on 1300 651 160.
Tier 2 – get tested urgently and isolate until you have a negative result. Continue to monitor for symptoms, get tested again if symptoms appear.
Tier 3 – monitor for symptoms, if symptoms develop, immediately get tested and isolate until you receive a negative result.
Do you live with a close contact?
If you have a close contact living in your household, you are a secondary contact and must quarantine until they are told they can leave quarantine. You cannot go to work and you may be eligible for special paid leave from your employer or see below for further payment information. You can only leave the house for the following reasons:
- for medical reasons (to get medical care or get tested for COVID-19)
- in an emergency or if you are unsafe
- as specified by the Chief Health Officer
The Victorian Department of Health’s coronavirus website has more information via bit.ly/2TqAQ3t
Where can I get tested for COVID-19?
Please get tested even with the slightest of symptoms. Testing site information bit.ly/2TB9eZ9
Personal protective equipment supplies
Victoria’s PPE supplies are plentiful and tracking systems are in place. Stocks include 11 million N95 respirators, 54 million surgical facemasks, seven million visors, seven million safety glasses, 12 million isolation gowns, 254 million gloves and six million units of sanitiser. A weekly PPE supply report is available on the Victorian Health Department’s website bit.ly/3g5d96m
P2/N95 mask fit testing
ANMF encourages all nurses, midwives and personal care workers to participate in their workplace fit testing program as a matter of urgency to ensure you, your family and your patients, clients and residents are protected.
Each P2/N95 mask fit test takes between 45 and 90 minutes to complete and requires specialist equipment and an appropriately skilled person to conduct the fit test.
Irrespective of fit testing, fit checking should be undertaken every time someone puts a P2/N95 respirator on. If the appropriate fit is not achieved, the respirator is not providing adequate protection. In these circumstances someone who can achieve an appropriate fit should undertake the procedure or delay the procedure until an appropriate fit can be achieved. Read the WorkSafe Victoria advice via bit.ly/3ddwqRT
Personal protective equipment concern?
Members with concerns about PPE should:
- raise and submit OHS incident reports with your employer as well as speaking directly with your manager
- involve your Health and Safety Rep if you have one
- contact ANMF via anmfvic.asn.au/memberassistance (include your report and response if applicable) for further support and advice if after you have raised your concerns they are not addressed by your employer.
How to access ANMF support
Members are encouraged complete an online Member Assistance inquiry form via anmfvic.asn.au/memberassistance (scroll to the bottom of the page).
The Branch triages member inquiries meaning Member Assistance can respond to urgent matters, such as a formal AHPRA notification, a disciplinary letter or a violent incident, and escalate to the relevant ANMF Organiser or other appropriate staff without members waiting on the phone for extended periods.
We respond to urgent queries within one business day, and non-urgent queries within three business days.
Please note ANMF Member Assistance is transitioning to a new case management system and there may be some unexpected delays, but all urgent inquiries will receive a response within one business day.
$450 test and isolation payment
The Victorian Government provides a $450 test and isolation payment to workers required to isolate after taking a COVID-19 test who don’t have access to paid leave. This is for private aged care workers too.
More information, eligibility, and applications bit.ly/3fWygqQ
$1500 disaster leave payment
The Federal Government provides a $1500 disaster leave payment if you tested positive or were identified as a close contact and have to isolate for 14 days. Private aged care workers are eligible for the payment if you do not have access to paid leave during your isolation period.
Call 180 22 66 to make a claim.
More information, eligibility, and applications bit.ly/3bWnfXG
Emergency accommodation for healthcare workers
The Victorian Government provides the ‘frontline accommodation program’ for health care workers if they need support to quarantine or isolate safely. Private aged care nurses and personal care workers are eligible to access this program. For details bit.ly/2X6cABJ
Victorian Department of Health employment advice
The Victorian Department of Health’s ‘Coronavirus Guidance Note on Employment-Related Matters’ – provides advice on leave, including special paid leave and vaccination leave and re-deployment. ANMF encourages all employers to follow this guidance, however, recognise that enforcement is limited to public sector employers only.
The guidance, last updated 18 June 2021, can be read via bit.ly/2UhDSU2
COVID-19 stressed? Take the self-care quiz
All nurses, midwives, personal care workers and nursing and midwifery students are encouraged to reflect on their current circumstances and wellbeing and fill out the Nursing and Midwifery Health Program Victoria’s self-care plan questionnaire via bit.ly/343qHLf. You will be emailed a self-care plan.
To contact NMHPV call 9415 7551 or email admin@nmhp.org.au Find out more www.nmhp.org.au
COVID-19 important links for nurses, midwives and personal care workers
ANMF continues to collate the important links all in one place, so you don’t have to go looking. Please bookmark and check this page regularly – anmfvic.asn.au/COVID-19
Don’t bring it home: guide to minimise the risk of infection
The ANMF (Vic Branch) ‘Don’t bring it home’ guide is designed to assist members returning home from work after a shift.
Job Reps and HSRs are encouraged to print the poster which is part of this PDF newsflash. You can also download the ‘Protocols for entering your home and minimising the risk of infection’ A4 poster via bit.ly/COVID19-DBIH
