A message from WDHS Chief Executive, Rohan Fitzgerald
Omicron continues to change the way we think about COVID-19.
Prior to Christmas 2021 WDHS began to prepare for what was anticipated to be a surge in COVID-19 cases as we welcomed in a New Year. We opened thousands of booster appointments, established paediatric vaccination clinics and moved the testing clinic to the Showgrounds, seven days a week.
It’s taken a mammoth effort and many staff have sacrificed time with family and friends over the festive season. A huge thank you for their dedication and commitment.
We have tested over 2,000 people at the drive-thru clinic since Boxing Day and the positive cases keep coming. The number of cases continues to break previous records and today is no exception. Tonight we are announcing 123 new cases of COVID-19, from tests taken over the last four days.
This week (Monday to Friday) there has been a total of 207 positive test results at the WDHS drive-thru clinic. The positive cases range in age from 12 months to 80 years plus, with many referred to the WDHS Hospital in the Home program. We established a 1800 number to support people in our community that aren’t sure what to do if they are COVID positive. Customers are risk assessed and where appropriate referred to services at WDHS, or asked to monitor their symptoms at home.
The WDHS Respiratory Clinic has recommenced and is supported by GP’s from the Hamilton Medical Group and Physicians at WDHS. Customers can be referred to this service by a GP or the Hospital in the Home program. The Respiratory Clinic allows COVID positive people to be treated for a range of conditions (including pre-existing), without being hospitalised.
A local response in times of crisis is often the best – we have seen this time and again when natural disasters strike. That’s when communities take responsibility for each other and that’s what rural people do best.
If you test positive, isolate and tell your household, social, work and education contacts immediately about your result. This simple strategy gives us the best chance of slowing the spread of the virus.
Check in by phone with family and friends who are isolating, or isolated, let them know about the WDHS Helping Hands program. Importantly, keep doing the basics – wash your hands, keep your distance, socialise outdoors, and wear a mask. You must get tested if you have symptoms, or are a household contact. It is also recommended to get a test if you are a social, work or education contact.
Today’s numbers reflect a new stage of the virus and for some it may be difficult to come to terms with, for others it’s what they have been expecting for the last two years.
This week the pandemic unquestionably reached the Southern Grampians Shire and will transform our lives for the weeks and months to come. We take some consolation from knowledge that vaccination uptake in our region has been very high and we expect the booster program to be equally well subscribed.There is also comfort in the knowledge that infection caused by Omicron seems to be less severe.
In this environment when settings change so quickly it is inevitable there will be disruptions to services and a few bumps in the road along the way. Despite the very real challenges that lie ahead I have an immense confidence in the resilience and capacity of the team at WDHS to continue the provision of outstanding service to our community. I acknowledge that the last few weeks have been tough. I would like to express my gratitude to the community and our team for continuing to display compassion, kindness and generosity of spirit in times of great adversity.