New screening measures now in place at hospitals

As an additional measure to increase surveillance, from today all NSW public hospital and health services will require staff and visitors to be screened when entering a NSW Health facility. Screening will involve temperature checks and questions seeking an individual’s potential for contact with a COVID-19 positive case. Temperature monitoring will be conducted using an approved temperature monitoring device to accurately measure the presence of fever. Screening questions will include: 1. Have you returned from overseas travel (or a cruise ship) in the last 14 days? 2. Have you had any close contact with a COVID-19 positive case? 3. Do you have any flu-like symptoms? If a visitor answers YES to any of these questions or has a temperature, they will be advised not to visit the hospital and to present to the closest COVID-19 Clinic for review. These additional measures will help identify anyone who may require testing while also increasing current layers of protection for patients, their families and staff. Southern NSW Local Health District has established COVID-19 Assessment Centres throughout the District, so those with symptoms may be tested and treated quickly. Any one heading to an assessment centre MUST call the SNSWLHD Central Intake Service – 1800 999 880 (option 1) before attending.