What you need to know

• Providers must report outbreaks to local public health units (PHUs) from 1 July
• Local PHUs will supply extra IPC stock if urgently required during an outbreak
• N95 respirator guidance has been updated for all disability settings
• New Department of Health online e-learning for infection prevention and control

Arrangements regarding COVID-19 continue to change as the government pulls back restrictions. Ongoing responsibility rests with disability services for the management of their COVID-19 and other infections.

Disability providers are required to report any COVID-19 outbreaks to their local public health unit since 1 July.

The DFFH Outbreak Disability Response team will no longer be responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic response for the disability sector. While providers do not need to notify the department of cases and outbreaks through This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., the email address will still be monitored during business hours to respond to disability-related support requests.

Providers should now contact their local public health units for assistance to manage COVID-19 cases and outbreak activities independently.

Contact details for public health units are:

• Barwon South West – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  
• Gippsland – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
• Goulbourn Valley – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
• Grampians – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
• Loddon Mallee – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
• North East PHU – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
• Ovens Murray (Albury–Wodonga) – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
• South East PHU – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
• Western PHU – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

PPE, RATs and ventilation devices

While providers are expected to have PPE and RAT supplies to use as needed, extra items may be required in an outbreak. From 1 July, providers need to contact their local PHU as a last resort, for extra personal protective equipment, rapid antigen tests, and air purifiers to manage the safety of clients and staff effectively.

NDS has updated information to support a review of needs across all disability settings.

Visit the NDS COVID-19 toolkit Infection Prevention and Control tab to find the following documents:

• The Rapid Antigen Tests information for Disability Providers
• PPE COVID-19 outbreak supply calculator

Face mask requirements and N95 respirator guidance

All people aged eight years and older are still required to wear a face mask on public transport, rideshares, taxis, and in sensitive settings such as hospitals and care facilities. Masks must be worn by household contacts in quarantine who meet the criteria for leaving home. Face masks are strongly recommended indoors when physical distancing is not possible.

NDS has confirmed with DFFH the following guidance is current. All workers in care facilities, including contractors and volunteers, are required to wear a surgical face mask regardless of direct contact with residents. Non-residential, day services and community client-facing workers are recommended to wear a face mask for any indoor and transport activities or outdoors when 1.5 metre social distancing cannot be maintained.

N95 respirator masks are recommended for client-facing workers in care facilities, in-home settings, and anyone providing services to people with disabilities or underlying medical conditions. Workers wearing an N95 respirator are not considered a contact if they interact with a COVID-positive person where there are no PPE breaches.

Infection Prevention and Control e-learning package

The Victorian Department of Health is offering a free, online learning package covering the basic principles of infection prevention and control.

DoH and VICNISS developed the training for non-clinical workers across all sectors, incorporating learning and feedback gathered during the COVID-19 pandemic. There are six short modules: chain of infection, hand hygiene, personal protective equipment (PPE), cleaning, waste and working in an outbreak.

Useful Links

• NDS COVID-19 Toolkit 
• Winter stakeholder kit for people with a disability (Disability Gateway)

Article Sourced from National Disability Services