ALL visitors to Bathurst Base Hospital have now been asked to bring their own mask as Western NSW Local Health District remains on high alert to the threat of COVID-19.
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The health district announced last Friday that all hospital visitors and staff would be required to wear a mask but updated that advice on Thursday to ask visitors to bring a mask with them.
"We are urging the community to be prepared and to bring their own mask when they come to our health services," CEO Scott McLachlan said.
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"This is an increased infection control measure to reduce the risk of the community transmission of COVID-19.
"All visitors are required to wear a mask if they are coming into a health facility for any reason. If they are already wearing a cloth or surgical mask, they can continue to wear this.
"A mask will be provided during wellness screening when you enter the hospital if you don't have a mask already.
"All health services will have posters on display, to assist visitors use their masks correctly."
Mr McLachlan said visitors with an underlying health issues that might prevent them from wearing a mask should contact the hospital before they visit to get advice on the appropriate steps.
"In addition to visitors wearing a mask, all staff caring for or working within 1.5 metres of any patient will also be required to wear surgical masks," he said.
"Where possible, patients coming to a health service will be required to wear a mask and those patients already in hospital will be required to wear a mask outside their clinical area/ward.
"At this stage, children 12 years old and under are not required to wear a mask if they do not have any symptoms."
Mr McLachlan said all hospital visitors, staff and patients were required to practise physical distancing and continue regular hand washing and sanitising.
All visitors would be temperature checked as they entered the hospital.
"If you are unwell do not visit," he said.
"If you have even the mildest cough, fever, runny nose or difficulty breathing, please visit one of our COVID-19 clinics or call your doctor."
For more information about COVID-19, phone the National Coronavirus Helpline on 1800 020 088 or Healthdirect on 1800 022 222.
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