News

Stay COVID-Safe these school holidays

Wed, 01 Jul 2020 21:51:00

MALLEE residents are being urged to keep up with good hand hygiene and social distancing to avoid contracting COVID-19 and influenza.

Both measures have been credited as being critical to slowing the spread of COVID-19, as well as being key factors in a 91% drop in influenza (the flu) cases observed this year.
“The drop in flu cases is partly due to more people having flu vaccinations, but the hand hygiene and social distancing we’ve been doing to slow the spread of COVID-19 is also having an impact,” said Dr Mau, the Director of Medical Services at Mallee Track Health and Community Service (MTHCS).
“Good hand hygiene and social distancing leads to fewer opportunities to transmit viruses between people, so fewer people are infected and fewer people get sick.”
Dr Mau said people may be getting tired with the ongoing focus on washing hands, using hand sanitiser and keeping their distance from others, but the low rate of flu cases is proof that these measures are working.
“The term “good hand hygiene” is often used, but it’s important to understand it means washing your hands regularly for at least 20 seconds, using soap and water or use a hand sanitiser that contains at least 60 percent alcohol,” Dr Mau said.
“Wash your hands when you get home, arrive at other people’s homes, at venues or at work. Wash your hands after blowing your nose, coughing, sneezing, or using the toilet, and remember to stay 1.5 metres away from other people.”
With the Victorian school holidays now underway, Dr Mau urged families to think about keeping themselves and their communities safe and healthy.
“Be aware of what the travel restrictions are and, if you do travel, take care wherever you go and assume others may be carrying the virus,” he said.
“If you do travel, keep 1.5 metres between yourself and others when practical to do so and practise good hygiene – wash your hands regularly and cough and sneeze into a tissue or your elbow.”
He also reminded local residents not to travel if they, or someone they are travelling with, feels unwell.
“If you feel unwell, you should not travel. If you have COVID-19 symptoms, however mild, you should get tested, return home immediately after the test and remain in self-isolation until you receive your test result,” Dr Mau said.
The COVID-19 symptoms are fever, chills or sweats, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, runny nose, and loss of sense of smell. The test is free for everyone.
If you have symptoms, call ahead before arriving at a MTHCS medical clinic to be tested.
MTHCS can be contacted on 5092 1111 for further information.
Pictured: Nurse immuniser Fiona Latta with Sue Kelley