Information about coronavirus disease (COVID-19)

Stay informed with the latest updates on coronavirus (COVID-19).

Last updated on 7 April 2020 at 11.30am

On this page

• Visitor restrictions
• Screening Clinics
• Specialty clinic appointments
• Coronavirus (COVID-19) and pregnancy
• Information for health professionals and GPs
• Latest information and resources

Visitor restrictions

As part of our response to the COVID-19 outbreak, we have further reduced visiting hours and visitor limits.

We understand this may cause disappointment, but the health and safety of our patients, visitors, employees, and communities must be our top priority.

Please consider using alternatives to visiting such as phone calls and video chat where possible.

• One visitor, per patient, per day

• Visiting hours are between 1-3pm and 5-7pm only (all areas)

• No visitors are allowed outside visiting hours, except:

  • Emergency Departments – one support person
  • Births / Pregnancy Assessment Unit – one partner or support person
    • During labour/birth the support person can be there 24/7.
    • After birth, while in the maternity ward, the support person can visit for the duration of visiting hours. They can come for the first session, leave and return for the second.
  • Children – one carer, who can enter during visiting hours only and may stay 24/7
  • End of life – one person
  • McCulloch House – one visitor per day (8am-8pm), additional visitor permitted when patient is nearing the end of their life.

• Visits are limited to one hour only, except:

  • Adult Intensive Care Units (ICUs) – limited to a maximum of ten minutes

• Children under 16 are not permitted

• Please maintain 1.5m distance from patients, employees and other visitors

• Please do not visit if you are unwell

No visits to our residential care facilities at this time.

No visits to our mental health units except child, adolescent and mother & baby units which are by appointment only.

All visitors will be screened for signs of COVID-19.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

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Screening Clinics

Monash Health has established Screening Clinics for public screening of coronavirus (COVID-19) located in Clayton, Dandenong and Berwick.

If you have been tested and are waiting for your results, you should continue to self-isolate until your test results are available. We understand that this can be frustrating and ask for your patience.

Testing criteria for coronavirus

Our COVID-19 (coronavirus) testing resources are limited so to ensure we use resources available for those most in need, we will only test those who meet the testing criteria.

To be tested, patients must have at least one clinical AND at least one epidemiological criterion.

Clinical criteria

Fever (≥38°C) or history of fever (for example night sweats, chills)

OR

Acute respiratory infection (for example, shortness of breath, cough, sore throat).

Epidemiological criteria

Close contacts of confirmed COVID-19 cases with onset of symptoms within 14 days of last contact

OR

Travelers from overseas with onset of symptoms within 14 days of return

OR

Cruise ship passengers or crew with onset of symptoms within 14 days of disembarkation

OR

Paid or unpaid workers in healthcare, residential care, and disability care settings

OR

People who have worked in public facing roles in the following settings within the last 14 days:

• Homelessness support
• Child protection
• The police force
• Firefighters who undertake emergency medical response
• Childcare and early childhood education
• Primary or secondary schools

OR

Any person aged 65 years or older

OR

Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander peoples

OR

Patients admitted to hospital where no other cause is identified

OR

Any person in other high-risk settings, including:

• Aged care, disability and other residential care facilities
• Military operational settings
• Boarding schools
• Correctional facilities
• Detention centres
• Settings where COVID-19 outbreaks have occurred, in consultation with the department.

If you are unsure whether or not you should be tested for coronavirus, you can use the interactive self-assessment tool below

Please consult your GP or call the Department of Health and Human Services Coronavirus hotline on 1800 675 398 if you have further questions.

Thank you for your understanding.

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Specialty clinic appointments

Monash Health asks that if you have a fever or acute respiratory infection or have travelled overseas or been in contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19, you do not attend your specialty clinic appointments and reschedule to a later date when you are well.

For patients without symptoms, and who have not returned from overseas within the last 14 days, you may be contacted to organise a telephone or telehealth appointment. These calls may come through as a Private/No Caller ID call, so please be vigilant in answering these calls. If you do not receive a call, please attend your appointment as normal.

To minimise the number of people in the waiting area, please ensure you arrive on time and limit the number of people accompanying you only to those who are essential for your appointment.

To reschedule your appointment due to respiratory illness, fever or overseas travel, please call 1300 342 273.

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Coronavirus (COVID-19) and pregnancy

We’ve developed an extensive range of FAQs about coronavirus and pregnancy to keep you informed during this time. If you are worried or have any questions, we encourage you to speak to your pregnancy care team.

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Information for health professionals and GPs

If you are a health professional or GP looking for information about COVID-19, please visit COVID-19 information for health professionals and GPs.

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Latest information and resources

As this is a rapidly changing situation, please visit the Department of Health and Human Services website for the latest updates, including advice on symptoms and precautions.

If you suspect you may have the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), please call the dedicated hotline on 1800 675 398. Please keep Triple Zero (000) for emergencies only.

Reduce your risk of coronavirus

Download, print and share this poster by the Department of Health and Human Services which provides advice about how you can slow the spread of coronavirus.

Taking care of your mental health during the COVID-19 outbreak

The coronavirus outbreak, being self-isolated and practicing physical distancing can feel overwhelming.

If you are feeling stressed or anxious, there are resources available to help you.

Resources to help answer your child’s questions about coronavirus

We all know kids love asking questions.

But answering them during a stressful and uncertain time can be tricky. It’s normal to feel unsure about what to say.

To help you during this time, we’ve put together a list of helpful and related links.

Coronavirus information in your language

Read and listen to the latest news and information about coronavirus (COVID-19) in 63 languages on the SBS website.

Easy English resources

Travel information

Read the latest travel alerts on the Smartraveller website.

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