The Golden Bay Weekly - 3 April 2020

Page 1

Retail: FREE WHILE UNDER LEVEL 4 ALERT

www.gbweekly.co.nz

Friday 3 April 2020

Staying safe in Bay lockdown

Splendid isolation: A walker observes physical distancing on the beach at Puponga earlier this week. Photo: Jo Richards. JO RICHARDS

With the news that Golden Bay has its first confirmed case of Covid-19 – a woman who recently returned from overseas – the reality of the global pandemic is hitting home. The Bay, for all its geographic isolation, is clearly not immune to the spread of the disease and this latest development underlines the importance of the Government’s message about remaining in lockdown. Golden Bay’s case, like all those nationwide, is subject to the Ministry of Health’s strict procedure. This begins with notification to a medical officer of health in the Nelson Marlborough Public Health Service (NMPHS) before the infected individual is interviewed to determine risk factors, including travel. Once this is done, NMPHS and the national close contact tracing service, undertake contact tracing to reach close contacts – the people most at risk – as they determine necessary. Every case is monitored by NMPHS until a medical officer of health has determined that it is safe for the person to come out of isolation. General Manager Golden Bay Community Health Linzi Birmingham, says it’s essential that those infected are treated with compassion.

“It’s very important that people with Covid are not harassed and are supported. Also, so that people with symptoms do not then hesitate to get help, for fear of a negative reaction, community speculation etc.” The Bay has been preparing for this moment for several weeks. Additional special facilities have been added to Golden Bay Community Health including a CommunityBased Assessment Centre (CBAC) for infection

“It’s very important that people with COVID are not harassed and are supported.” Linzi Birmingham testing, as well as a temporary isolation room. Linzi says that the CBAC is currently open for one hour a day. “The CBAC is staffed with a doctor and a nurse. We ask people to phone the clinic first before coming in however, so they can be triaged - also called ‘screening’ by a doctor. During this process the doctor will assess if someone needs to be tested at a CBAC.” Regarding the other new facility, Linzi says:

“We have not had to use the isolation room yet, but it is stocked and prepared and ready for use if required.” As there are currently no ventilators or intensive care units in Golden Bay, any seriously ill Covid-19 patients will be transferred to Nelson Hospital after being stabilised. GBCH has taken measures to reduce the risk of spreading infection, including locking the front doors, closing the rest home to visitors and rolling out its new online patient portal My Indici (see article on page 4). A further mitigation measure is the administering of seasonal flu jabs – a programme that has been interrupted by a temporary shortage of vaccine – but not before some of the most vulnerable residents had received it. “We have made a good start on it by vaccinating some people in the priority groups – people most at risk if they were to contract influenza,” explains Linzi. “These include people aged 65 years and older, pregnant women, people with chronic health conditions and young children with respiratory illness.” She said the health centre would soon be offering drive-through carpark-based clinics... Continued on page 3

Coordination Group JEANINE TAYLOR

On Tuesday, the team of professionals who make up the Community Coordination Group (CCG), met for the second time using the online platform of Zoom. Their goal: To achieve coordinated efforts for the vulnerable and to share, coordinate and channel information about volunteer networks. Chairperson Tony Keatley, from Te Whare Mahana Trust, asked each service representative for an update on their current situation. Golden Bay Community Health General Manager Linzi Birmingham, said their services are looking completely different. “We are segregating our aged care facility, making it totally separate.” The elderly are one of their high priorities. The medical centre is running from a virtual platform with telephone and online appointments. Designated staff are running the Covid-19 testing service between 10 and 11am each day. People are encouraged to ring and be triaged and then assigned the services which they need. There are no weekend drop-in clinics, these are now managed by the after-hours service, who will contact a GP if an appointment is needed. There is currently a supply shortage of flu vaccinations and GBCH will be in touch when they become available, around mid-April. Keeping appropriate social distancing should also help to stem the spreading of the flu. Tasman District Council’s representatives spoke of the freedom camping issue, regarding Covid-19. Their aim is to educate and then move freedom campers to the designated area within the Pohara Top 10 Holiday Park. Mental health services for our youth and community are still being provided through our mental health professionals. The child health nurse said that their contact is very limited. The service will continue to check up on new babies up to three months of age and to stay in touch with vulnerable families. Civil Defence are looking at developing a traffic-light type system for the elderly and vulnerable to display in their windows, letting people know if they are okay or need help. More information will be launched on this soon. Women’s Refuge are working closely with Mohua Social Services to respond to reports of family harm. Continued on page 4

X+Y

Please let us know if you’d like your regular ad to continue or be put on hold

Creations

bored game

rotate 90˚

rotate 90˚

rotate 90˚

ADVERTISERS

Phone: 027 525 8679 Thanks, The GB Weekly team

Put your clocks back 1 hour before you go to bed on Saturday

rotate 90˚

INSIDE:

Email: admin@gbweekly.co.nz

Keeping fit

THE GB WEEKLY, FRIDAY 3 APRIL 2020

Puzzles

Online movies

Choco Loco

ISSN (PRINT) 2538-0923 ISSN (ONLINE) 2538-0931

1


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.