News

Suppression the COVID-19 reality

Mon, 14 Sep 2020 21:03:00

AGGRESSIVE suppression of COVID-19 will be the key to managing the deadly virus into the future, according to the region’s health service.

Mallee Track Health and Community Service Chief Executive Officer Lois O’Callaghan said outbreak management was the long-term focus of the local health service, in line with advice from Victoria’s Department of Health and Human Services.
“Even though the restrictions on our movement are beginning to ease, we all know this pandemic is far from over,” Ms O’Callaghan said.
“That is why our service, and health services across Victoria, will be making sure we are ready and able to cope with COVID-19 being part of our daily lives for some time to come.”
The term “aggressive suppression” has become widely used by Victorian health authorities during the COVID-19 response to describe vigilant infection control practices and outbreak management responses.
Ms O’Callaghan said the actions people take now would impact the decisions the Victorian Government and Chief Health Officer make about future restrictions.
“We are at a critical point now so we have to do everything we can to hold onto the gains we’ve made,” Ms O’Callaghan said.
“We all need to keep following the rules, getting tested and staying at home when we’re sick – these are the actions that are keeping us and our loved ones safer, and getting us all closer to COVID Normal.”
While a confirmed COVID-19 case has not yet occurred in the Mallee Track catchment, Ms O’Callaghan encouraged residents to remain vigilant and protect their health and safety.
“A lot of hard work has been done right across regional Victoria to drive down the number of COVID-19 cases, so the last thing we want to see is a spike in infections as restrictions ease and people begin to move around more,” she said.
“We simply can’t afford to be complacent.”
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:

MTHCS physiotherapist Kate Lockett wearing a face mask as part of COVID-19 safety precautions.

MTHCS Sea Lake staff during their Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) infection control walk and talk to ensure the facility is prepared for a COVID-19 outbreak