Premier Daniel Andrews and Minister for Health Jenny Mikakos joined Victoria’s Chief Health Officer Professor Brett Sutton yesterday to release the COVID-19 Pandemic Plan for the Victorian Health Sector.
“This is the time to plan and prepare. And that’s exactly what we’re doing,” said the Permier.
Victoria has a world-class health system that is well-prepared to deal with an outbreak. But with successful measures reducing the impact of COVID-19 in other parts of the world, Victoria must learn from this and act early and decisively in limiting the spread of the disease. Reducing the peak of cases is vital to maintaining the overall capacity of our health system.
“Our hospitals, paramedics and GPs are well-prepared to deal with COVID-19 – but we need to continue to do what is necessary to protect our state,” said Minister Mikakos.
The plan sets out a 4-stage response to COVID-19. The first stage of the response, which Australia is in now, focuses on containment - identifying any possible cases and isolating those who are infectious and their close contacts.
Some of the immediate measures introduced include dedicated screening clinics and increased testing at more Victorian labs – with healthcare workers who are unwell given priority so they can get the all-clear and get back to treating their patients sooner.
Further stages of the plan set out actions to slow the spread of COVID-19 in the Victorian community, manage demand on hospital resources, respond to a severe outbreak and recover as quickly as possible.
These measures may be disruptive and wide-ranging, including dedicated coronavirus wards in hospitals, increasing telehealth medical consultations, cancelling large public gatherings or closing schools and universities.
None of these decisions will be taken lightly and must be proportionate to the threat. But as we prepare for the significant risk that COVID-19 poses, particularly for elderly and vulnerable Victorians, our state must be ready.
“In a pandemic, every country becomes affected and our focus must turn to reducing its impact. We are ready to respond quickly to protect Victorians and the planning we have done will immediately be put into action,” said Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton.
Victorians are also being asked to consider how they’ll manage if they become unwell or require isolation, including working remotely, managing food and medication, and the potential need to isolate individual family members.
Everyone has a role to play. You should wash your hands with soap and water, and cover your nose and mouth when you sneeze or cough with a tissue or elbow. Importantly, if you’re sick you should not go to work, to minimise the potential of spreading the infection – particularly health workers who look after our most vulnerable.
If you’re concerned, call the Coronavirus Hotline on 1800 675 398.
