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Information for Employees

COVID-19 update for all Scope and Home@Scope staff

Scope is continuing to monitor the coronavirus (COVID-19) health alert with the safety of our customers and employees our top priority. Please find below the current update:

Actions we are taking 

  • The Incident Management Team is meeting daily to monitor and respond to the evolving situation. The IMT is managing the response centrally.
  • We have set up a dedicated hotline for Scope and Home@Scope which will be available from Wednesday 18th March. This can be accessed via phone 1300 4 72673 or email covid19@scopeaust.org.au  
    • Please contact the hotline for all COVID-19 related questions.
    • This hotline is available for both employees and customers.  
  • We are supporting services with ensuring essential supplies including medication and household items are available.
  • Office-based employees have been directed to work from home, and be available to support services with other duties.

Actions for you to take

Practice good hygiene and social distancing

  • Avoid non-essential visits to other service locations and into the community.
  • Hold meetings over the phone or teleconference instead of in person.
  • If you have been exposed to COVID-19 or have any flu-like symptoms like fever, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, please self-isolate and seek immediate medical attention.
  • If you have these symptoms or have been diagnosed with the coronavirus (COVID-19), please inform Scope by calling our hotline on 1300 4 72673 or email covid19@scopeaust.org.au
  • If you know of a customer, family member or visitor who is likewise affected, please also let the hotline know.
  • If you need more information or support please check the Intranet or contact your manager.

Latest updates

As of Tuesday 24th March, Scope will temporarily close all of our Day and Lifestyle Options services (Day centres).

Details Here

Staff FAQs

Yes. If you have flu-like symptoms like fever, cough, shortness of breath, or sore throat, seek immediate medical attention. Don’t come in to work until you have received medical clearance.

Continue to support your customer, following standard procedures.

If your customer displays flu-like symptoms like fever, cough, shortness of breath, or sore throat, seek immediate medical attention.

If a customer has serious symptoms like high temperature or difficulty breathing, call 000 and ask for an ambulance.

Inform Scope’s hotline by calling 1300 4 72673.

Masks are only for people who have a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 so they do not spread it.

Disposable face masks can only be used once.

If you do not have COVID-19 or looking after someone who has COVID-19, you do not need a mask. There is a world-wide shortage of masks, so we need to use masks wisely.

If a customer in your service has been diagnosed with COVID-19, Scope will support you and provide you with the right personal protective equipment (PPE).

 

You can reduce your chances of being infected or spreading COVID-19 by taking some simple precautions:

  • Wash hands often with soap and running water for at least 20 seconds. Dry with paper towel or hand dryer
  • Try not to touch your eyes, nose or mouth
  • Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you sneeze or cough. Of you don’t have a tissue cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve or elbow
  • Isolate yourself at home if you feel sick. If you take medication, ensure you have adequate supplies
  • Phone your GP first if you need medical attention
  • Continue healthy habits including exercise, drinking water, get plenty of sleep and consider quitting smoking
  • Don’t wear a face mask if you are well
  • Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with over 60% alcohol
  • Get the flu shot (available from April)
  • Shaking hands is optional

Coronavirus (COVID-19) FAQs

COVID-19 is the name of the infectious disease caused by the most recently discovered coronavirus.

This new virus and disease were unknown before the outbreak began in Wuhan, China, in December 2019.

People can catch COVID-19 from others who have the virus. The disease is spread the same way as the flu through small droplets from the nose and mouth.

When a person with the virus sneezes, coughs or exhales, the droplets may land on surfaces around them.

COVID-19 can then be caught by someone else if they touch those surfaces and then touch their eyes, mouth and/or nose.

It could also be inhaled if you are standing close to someone with the virus if they sneeze or cough directly on you.

It does not jump and is not carried by the air.

The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, tiredness, and dry cough.

Some patients may have aches and pains, nasal congestion, runny nose, sore throat or diarrhea.

These symptoms are usually mild and begin gradually.

Some people become infected but don’t develop any symptoms and don’t feel unwell.

Many people will suffer only mild symptoms, however early indications are that the elderly and people with pre-existing medical conditions such as heart and lung disease or suppressed immune systems are more at risk of experiencing severe symptoms.

Stay aware of the latest information on the COVID-19 outbreak, available on:

• Coronavirus hotline – 1800 675 398

• The Australian Department of Health:

https://www.health.gov.au/health-topics/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov#information-for-the-public

• The Victorian Department of Health and Human Services:

https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/novelcoronavirus

• National Disability Services:

https://www.nds.org.au/resources/all-resources/coronavirus-covid-19

• National Disability Insurance Scheme:

https://www.ndis.gov.au/understanding/ndis-and-other-government-services/ndis-and-disaster-response