News

Staying apart works!

Mon, 31 Aug 2020 19:35:00

PEOPLE across the Mallee are being asked to stay apart a little longer, as social distancing and staying at home become key weapons in the fight to keep the region COVID-19-free.

As Stage 3 Stay at Home restrictions continue to apply across regional Victoria, the local health service is keen to see people keep their distance from each other and only leave home when absolutely necessary.
“Social distancing and staying at home works – we saw infection rates plateau in March when Stage 3 restrictions were last in place, and we are hoping to see the curve flatten again this time,” Mallee Track Health and Community Service Chief Executive Officer Lois O’Callaghan said.
“The number of infections in regional Victoria is concerning, and we know health authorities are keeping a close eye on this, so the best thing we can do to protect our communities is stay apart, and stay home.”
Under the Stage 3 Stay at Home restrictions there are only four reasons for people to leave their home:  shopping for food and essential items; care and caregiving; daily exercise; work and study, if this can’t be done from home. Everyone who leaves their home must wear a face mask/covering.

“If you do leave home, remember wearing a face mask/covering isn’t an excuse to forget about staying 1.5 metres from others,” Ms O’Callaghan said.
“Act as if other people may be carrying COVID-19 – if you keep your distance, you reduce the chance of becoming infected.”
Ms O’Callaghan said local residents were responding well to the current restrictions, but she encouraged everyone to remain vigilant.
“Communities in the Mallee are resilient and we know how to look after each other during tough times,” she said.
“We all know about the importance of good hand hygiene, social distancing and staying home, but the important thing is we can’t stop doing these things yet.
“Following the rules and staying safe can be frustrating at times, but if we don’t actively continue to do these things, we will be putting our communities at risk.”
Ms O’Callaghan urged anyone with flu-like symptoms, however mild, to get tested for COVID-19. Symptoms include fever, chills or sweats, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, runny nose, and loss of sense of smell. The test is free for everyone.
MTHCS medical clinics in Sea Lake and Ouyen continue to provide COVID-19 testing for those with COVID-19 symptoms.
Community members are asked to call ahead before arriving to be tested and to be tested early in the day, to ensure swabs can be sent to pathology laboratories for analysis as soon as possible.
MTHCS can be contacted on 5092 1111 for further information.

Pictured: The almost empty streets of Ouyen and Sea Lake