Elsie Adamo
MOUNT Gambier Hospital has been forced to close its medical ward to visitors and new patients following a Covid-19 outbreak among patients and staff.
Recently, the Limestone Coast Local Health Network (LCLHN) notified the public of the closure until further notice, after 16 Covid positive cases from the ward were reported, seven of which were hospital staff.
“We have enacted the hospital’s Outbreak Management Plan and immediately put measures in place to safely control the outbreak,” an LCLHN representative said.
“All confirmed Covid-19 positive patients will remain isolated and continue to receive care in the closed medical ward to reduce the risk of transmission and ensure the safety of other patients and staff.
“During this time, no further patients will be admitted into the ward and visitors will not be permitted to the area.”
The LCLHN was quick to reassure the public that patient wellbeing was still its top priority.
“The care and wellbeing of our patients and staff is our highest priority, and we will do everything possible to ensure that we maintain a high level of care throughout the outbreak,” a representative said.
The LCLHN confirmed that emergency, medical and community services will continue to operate as normal.
The news comes only a week after the hospital closed its controversial screening triage tent, where patients presenting to emergency attended to be screened for Covid prior to entry into the hospital.
“The Emergency Department (ED) marquee at Mount Gambier and Districts Health Service will close as we transition to the next phase of the Covid-19 pandemic and resume usual service operations,” an LCLHN representative said.
New patients presenting to the hospital’s ED will still be screened for Covid-19 via a separate entrance to the department.
“After the screening, low-risk patients will be directed to the ED while rapid antigen tests (RATs) will be provided to patients who are considered high risk,” an LCLHN representative said.
“Patients who then test positive to Covid-19 will be treated in a designated area according to their clinical needs, and patients who test negative will be directed to the ED.”
The hospital’s Covid ward was closed in May causing outcries from the community. It was later replaced by the Infectious Diseases Ward last month following intervention from the SA Health Minister Chris Picton, who asked the LCLHN to reopen the hospital to Covid positive patients.
The SA health system is under pressure again as the state experiences a third wave of Covid cases.
At time of print, according to the SA Health Covid-19 Heatmap active cases had climbed from 570 to 700 in the Limestone Coast region over the last week, with 346 of those within the Mount Gambier City Council area.
South Australian cases have reached 29,845, with the real number estimated to be higher as fewer people are thought to be reporting their cases.
