In addition to the requirement for all Victorian aged care workers to wear face masks, aged care workers in Victorian residential aged care facilities are now advised to wear face shields as a precautionary measure.
Single use face shields are being distributed from the National Medical Stockpile (NMS) to all residential aged care facilities in Victoria. Facilities will be directly contacted by delivery providers to receive the allocated face shields over the coming days, with priority distribution to Greater Melbourne and Mitchell Shire.
The use of personal protective equipment (PPE) such as masks and face shields is vital in preventing the spread of COVID-19. Face shields are designed to cover the sides of the face and below the chin. Face shields may be reusable or disposable, and are worn together with surgical masks.
Details are as follows.
The Australian Government will:
This will immediately assist around 770 residential aged care facilities.
Both workers and residents are at risk of contracting the virus, with elderly and frail residents highly vulnerable to the disease.
Face shields are designed to cover the sides of the face and below the chin. Face shields may be reusable or disposable, and are worn together with surgical masks.
The latest advice for aged care workers is in addition to infection control and staff screening measures already in place across the sector.
Substantial amounts of PPE, including additional masks and face shields, will continue to arrive over the coming weeks and months.
Guidance on the use of face masks and shields by health care workers in areas with significant community transmission of COVID-19 can be found here. ICEG guidelines on cleaning and disinfection of face shields can be found here, noting the NMS is currently dispatching single use face shields.
