All people entering Orange hospital and other public health facilities will now have their temperature tested by nurses before being allowed in.
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The Western NSW Local Health District has introduced screening and temperature testing as part of the statewide response to the coronavirus.
WNSWLHD Chief Executive Scott McLachlan said the testing would apply to all visitors, staff and contractors entering all public health sites.
We will primarily be using thermal thermometers, which means that no contact is required.
- Scott McLachlan, Chief Executive Western NSW LHD
That includes hospitals, community health centres, oral health services and clinics, including vaccination services across NSW.
"We will primarily be using thermal thermometers, which means that no contact is required, to test the temperature of everyone entering a health facility," he said.
"People coming to our sites will also be asked some screening questions.
"If people have a temperature over 38 degrees or they respond 'yes' to any of the screening questions, they will be asked to not enter the facility, and to go to a clinic or their doctor to be assessed for a COVID-19 test."
Mr McLachlan said the three screening questions to be asked of health facility attendees were:
- 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 and
- 3. Do you have any flu-like symptoms?
He said the measures were aimed at protecting staff and patients and limiting the spread of the coronavirus in the community.
The WNSWLHD had previously introduced restrictions on visitors to all its facilities.
They include a limit of one visitor per patient in larger facilities and no visitors in Multipurpose Service facilities, where aged care residents may be particularly vulnerable.
"We know that these are challenging measures for everyone to adapt to, but at the heart of our response measures is the need to do everything we can to protect the most vulnerable people in our communities, including older people and the sick," Mr McLachlan said.
"We also need to minimise the risk to our staff, who we need fit and healthy as we stay prepared to escalate our COVID-19 response."
He said people seeking more information on the coronavirus could follow the WNSWLHD on Facebook, call the Public Health Helpline 1300 066 055 or contact healthdirect online or at 1800 022 222.
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David Fitzsimons
I am a senior journalist at the Central Western Daily concentrating on council, government and real estate issues. Before moving to Orange I filled senior roles at the Daily Telegraph, Daily Telegraph-Mirror and the Daily Mirror in Sydney. They included being an editor, news editor, chief of staff and reporter.
I am a senior journalist at the Central Western Daily concentrating on council, government and real estate issues. Before moving to Orange I filled senior roles at the Daily Telegraph, Daily Telegraph-Mirror and the Daily Mirror in Sydney. They included being an editor, news editor, chief of staff and reporter.
