COVID spike for Bass Coast, South Gippsland
FOR months, South Gippsland and Bass Coast have been the hope of the side in Gippsland, consistently with the lowest rates of COVID-19 and the highest vaccination rates.
Play it safe on New Years Eve
FOR months, South Gippsland and Bass Coast have been the hope of the side in Gippsland, consistently with the lowest rates of COVID-19 and the highest vaccination rates.
Not so as a new wave of infection spikes locally.
On Thursday, December 30, Gippsland’s number of active cases increased to 380, including 81 new cases of COVID-19, of which 38 were recorded in Bass Coast (21) and South Gippsland (17).
Gippsland Local Government Areas have the following COVID-19 numbers; Bass Coast 67 active 21 new, Baw Baw 116 active 20 new, East Gippsland 14/1, Latrobe 84/10, South Gippsland 41/17 and Wellington 58/12.
It is expected, given the numbers of positive cases across Victoria, 23,833 active and a record 5137 new cases reported on December 30, that there will be considerably more active cases in the popular holiday spots.
It has prompted a call from the Health Department for New Year’s Eve revelers to play it safe.
“If you are feeling unwell or have COVID-19 symptoms, stay at home and get tested,” said a spokesperson for the Health Department.
“If you don’t have symptoms and you want to rapidly check if you may have COVID-19, you can use a Rapid Antigen Test,” they said, although good luck trying to find one.
“These tests are useful if you are attending a crowded event, social gathering or visiting vulnerable people or settings.
“Celebrate outdoors if you can. If you are hosting an indoor gathering, ensure your areas have as much ventilation as possible. Limiting the number of guests limits the risk of transmission.
“While celebrating, it is important to practise physical distancing. If you can’t remain 1.5 metres from people, wear a mask.
“Wearing a mask is required for everyone aged eight years and above in all indoor settings in Victoria unless an exception applies, such in the home or when consuming food or drink.
“Take hand sanitiser with you and practise good hand hygiene.”
According to the data supplied by the Victorian Health Department on December 30, there are 395 COVID-19 cases in hospital in Victoria including 55 active cases in ICU, with 23 of those on a ventilator. There are an additional 45 cleared cases in ICU.
Vaccinations are still available over the festive season, although many state-run vaccination centres will not be operating over the period through to January 2, 2022.
Some centres will be open over the festive period, so please check the list of vaccination centres for opening days and hours for individual sites. Otherwise, to obtain your vaccination, use the Vaccine Clinic Finder at https://covid-vaccine.healthdirect.gov.au/booking/ to find a participating GP or pharmacy.
Sadly, the Department was notified yesterday of 13 deaths of people aged in their 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s. This brings the total number of deaths in Victoria since the pandemic began to 1518. One historic death was reclassified.
There were 81,093 COVID-19 tests processed yesterday.
Heatwave impact on testing
Expected heatwave impact on some outdoor testing centres
Some testing sites may need to close over the next three days due to excessive heat, particularly those located outdoors in tents.
Temperature inside the tents can rise even 10 degrees higher, and testing staff work in full PPE.
What to do:
* Before you go to get tested, check the website to make sure it is open at ‘Where to get tested’.
* If you have to get tested (because you have symptoms or you’re a contact) and you are unable to access a PCR testing site, you should stay isolated until you can get tested.
* If you are getting a PCR test, plan ahead. You may have to travel further. Major indoor sites will still be able to operate.
* Remember the dangers of sitting in hot weather in your car for long periods. Young children, the elderly, people with medical conditions and pets are at higher risk of harm.
* Take regular sips of water to keep rehydrated. Heat can cause illnesses that may be life-threatening.
* If you don’t have symptoms and aren’t a contact, and just want to check if you may have COVID-19, then use a Rapid Antigen Test.
“We ask for your patience as we work to protect our staff and the community and continue to provide testing as safely as possible.”
For more information about what to do in an emergency and how to stay COVIDSafe, visit ‘What to do in an emergency’.
