State government advice on COVID-19

AS you may be aware the World Health Organization, and subsequently governments around the globe, have declared COVID-19, also known as coronavirus, a pandemic.

A pandemic is described as an epidemic that’s crossed international borders, and as such state and federal governments in Australia have issued guidelines and advice on what measures can be taken to limit the spread of COVID-19 and how you should react if you think you’ve caught the disease.

In Victoria the lead health agency is the Department of Health and Human Services.

DHHS has a set of online resources that covers issues like self-assessment for COVID-19, important contact numbers, preventative measures, locations of screening clinics, self-isolation protocols as well as other information.

You can access the website here.

On Wednesday the State government activated the State Control Centre to oversee issues arising from the current COVID-19 pandemic.

The SCC will coordinate the State’s response including collating information, mapping, planning, logistics and updating public information resources as and when required.

“Coronavirus will impact the entire Victorian community from business and schools, and that’s why a whole-of-government response is needed as we ramp up our response to this emerging pandemic,” said Premier Daniel Andrews.

In Ballarat, Ballarat Health Service have established a COVID-19 screening clinic at the Base Hospital with a dedicated triage nurse.

BHS is advising people who suspect they may be infected with the disease to follow the established protocols, including calling the DHHS Hotline on 1800 675 398, before presenting to the hospital.

BHS expressly said, “Do not walk through the hospital if you think you may have COVID-19 symptoms. Instead, proceed to the Emergency Department and see the COVID-19 triage nurse via the Mair Street Entrance.”