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Gastro is on the rise in Victorian childcare REPORTS surfaced recently of viral gastroenteritis outbreaks in childcare facilities across Victoria, including the Latrobe Valley. On Wednesday, December 22, the Department of Health announced that viral gastroenteritis (gastro) cases were on the rise in early childhood education and care services. There has been a total of 56 outbreaks in childcare centres across the state since the beginning of November, a significant increase from the 19 cases that were seen during the same period last year.
There was three known outbreaks in the Latrobe Valley at the time The Express went to press, according to Latrobe City Council. “Council is aware of three outbreaks in Latrobe City most recently and is working with the Department of Health to monitor the situation,” a council spokesperson said. “We encourage the community to follow the directions of the Chief Health Officer and keep young children home until they are symptom-free for 48 hours.” There was another gastro outbreak
earlier in 2021, after COVID restrictions eased in which the Health Department recorded 389 outbreaks up to the end of April - which was four times the average for that time of year. Victoria’s Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton said that gastro is a fast spreading virus. “Gastroenteritis can spread quickly through settings such as early childhood education and care services, where children play and interact closely with each other and can readily spread their bugs,” Professor Sutton said. “Camps and other activities where
children congregate also provide conditions where bugs can be passed on.” Professor Sutton said that hand washing is the best defence against gastro. However, unlike coronavirus, sanitiser is not the best defence. “Handwashing with soap and water is still the best personal hygiene method to minimise the chance of spreading the virus,” he said. “A good old-fashioned scrub with soap and warm water is the best way to remove the gastro virus from our hands and prevent passing it on to infect others.”
Flags to fly high at Grey Street Primary School FEDERAL Member for Gippsland Darren Chester visited Grey Street Primary School, Traralgon recently to present the current and incoming school captains with new flags for the school. Outgoing school captains Ruby Farmer, Murray Jones and Isaac Frost were on hand for the presentation, as were their successors in Miller Stoiljkovic, Makinley Monaghan, Izzy Heath and Mia Griffiths. Students are currently enjoying their summer break, and will get back to the books next month. For the graduating Year 6 cohort, the transition from primary to secondary school is not too far away.
Flying the flag: Student leaders of Grey Street Primary School, Traralgon received an Australian and Indigenous flag from Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester recently. Pictured with Mr Chester are 2021 school captains Ruby Farmer, Murray Jones, Isaac Frost and 2022 school captains Miller Stoiljkovic, Makinley Monaghan, Izzy Heath and Mia Griffiths. photograph contributed
The Range Retirement Village is a retirement living community in Moe, boasting high-quality residential villas set inside a gated community. The Range offers elegant new and refurbished two and three-bedroom independent living villas, set in attractive and well-manicured surrounds. Our spacious and elegant villas feature an openliving area, well-appointed kitchen, private courtyard garden and single or double garage.
More swim teachers across the state
THE state government recently announced 280 people will be entering the workforce as swim teachers. The hiring of those to this employment is intended to address the shortage of swimming teachers and help young people catch up on water safety education. The $3.4 million initiative is a partnership between Jobs Victoria and the Australian Swim Coaches and Teachers Association (ASCTA), and will assist those who have lost employment during the pandemic, particularly those who were most impacted: Women over 45, people under 25, multicultural communities and people with disability. The workers will earn while they learn, completing accredited swim instructor, water safety training, first aid and CPR training. Tailored support is available to workers, including job-readiness training, dedicated individual mentoring and funding to purchase things such as swimwear. “Our industry is in desperate need of swim teachers and this will meet the demand for lessons and provide an essential life skill for children,” ASCTA President Joanne Love said. Minister for Employment Jaala Pulford welcomed the news. “We’re all keen to get back in the water as the weather warms up so it’s vital we have swim teachers teaching our kids the knowledge and skills they need to be safe in the water,” she said. “Getting those most impacted by the pandemic into employment is critical, as is getting young children back into lessons to prepare for the summer months.” To find out more visit: jobs.vic.gov.au
Villas now available
Downsize and embrace life in retirement at The Range. The Range provides the comfort and security of a gated community, with live-in manager. You will have a flexibility anad freedom to embrace life within the Village or lock up and travel whenever you choose. Now is your time to downsize and embrace life in retirement at The Range.
RECENTLY COMPLETED
Resort-Style Clubhouse
Features available for our residents to share at The Range Retirement Village include indoor pool, billiard room, cinema, dining area, craft room, library with internet access, outdoor barbeque and entertaining area.
Range Way, Moe Sales and Inspections Phone: 1800 531 956 www.therangeretirementvillage.com.au The Latrobe Valley Express, Wednesday, 5 January, 2022 — Page 9
