Southern (SDHB) hospitals have this evening (12 February) imposed much stricter safety measures as active COVID-19 cases in the district continue to rise.

As well as all visitors now being screened for COVID-19, only those wearing a mask will be allowed entry. And only one person may now accompany or visit a patient (at a time).

The full list of changes include:

• Staff in public and patient facing roles will be wearing N95 masks. Those that are in high-risk areas such as the emergency department and maternity, will also be wearing eye protection.
• Patients being admitted to wards will undergo a COVID-19 test on admission. 
• Patients may be required to wear an N95 mask if this is deemed necessary by clinical staff. 
• Increased focus on social distancing throughout all SDHB facilities
• Restricted entrances at all facilities with all entrances monitored by staff, visitors screened for COVID-19 symptoms before entry, and public health measures enforced (QR code scanned, wearing a surgical mask, hands sanitised).
• Visitors with mask exemptions will not be admitted entry. 
• Only one visitor at a time will be able to visit patients on wards. Individual wards may impose further restrictions or close wards to visitors if they feel there is a heightened risk to the safety of their patients. 
• Only one person may accompany someone who is attending an outpatient appointment or presenting at the emergency department for care. Children may accompany a parent or sibling if childcare is not available. 

Maternity services will have different restrictions. Patients and visitors should check with their lead maternity carer or the Southern Health website.

The new rules apply to Dunedin, Southern, Clutha and Gore hospitals and are designed to decrease the spread of COVID-19.

Lakes and Dunston hospitals have already implemented the new measures.

There are currently 16 active COVID-19 cases in the Southern district.