CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)
NWSS will be sending out regular bulletins as we manage our way through the virus.
We are listening to and reading the updates on a daily basis.
The very best advice at the moment is to practice SOCIAL ISOLATION. This is very much against our human nature but critical for overcoming the spread of the virus. Social isolation means:
· Staying at home
· Limiting movement to work and essential shopping
· As little physical contact as possible with others
· No hugs with clients at work
· No hand shakes
The protocols for infection control must be strictly adhered to as per the handout documents and directions from management team members:
· Wash your hands thoroughly with soap for at least 20 seconds
· Wash your hands frequently
· Dry your hands with a paper towel and dispose of it responsibly
· Don’t touch your face
· Use a tissue to cough and sneeze into and dispose of it responsibly
The following link takes you to a 30-minute training session – How to protect yourself and the people you are caring for from infection with COVID-19. It is in everyone’s best interests to do this training session.
We are entering the management of rosters and support arrangements by the day. Management team members will be in constant touch about arrangements on a day to day basis.
If support hours diminish because clients and/or their families withdraw we cannot replace these hours, but we will, on a day to day basis, offer support workers other hours as they become available.
All events and group outings are cancelled until further notice. Shared home residents can be taken for walks in their immediate neighbourhood but no visits to:
· Supermarkets
· Shops
· Cafes and restaurants
· Group events of any nature
SOCIAL DISTANCING IS SHOWING UP AS ONE STRATEGY THAT IS SLOWING THE INFECTION RATE AND GIVING THE HEALTH SYSTEM TIME TO COPE.
We will keep you up to date by email every few days. Please keep in touch by email if you feel the need.
—
Neal Rodwell — General Manager — North West Support Services — 0418 140 000