April 17, 2020
Hats off to our heroes A thousand hats are en route to Geelong hospital to protect nurses and their families against coronavirus infection, thanks to about 1450 volunteer sewers. “We’ll have them delivered by the end of the week,” said Deb Elliott, co-ordinator of Helping our Hospital Heroes Australia. Deb established the group during self-isolation after a trip to New Zealand, co-ordinating 1000 hats for Royal Melbourne Hospital, the Independent revealed earlier this month. As of Wednesday, the group had 1452 members and had delivered about 3500 hats to hospitals across Australia with orders for 7000 more. “I can’t believe how quickly this has expanded,” Deb said. The hats add to existing protective equipment and help protect health professionals, particularly those with long hair, and their families. The hats delivered to University Hospital Geelong included a special message for health professionals: “We just love making them for you and we appreciate everything you do for us.” Luke Voogt
Deb Elliott and Barwon Health nurse unit manager Emma Bell. (Louisa Jones) 207520_20
Recovery signs promising By Luke Voogt Five in six COVID-19 cases in Geelong and the Surf Coast have reached the 14-day recovery threshold, based on the latest data. he average recovery time for mild coronavirus cases is two weeks, and three to six weeks for severe cases, according to the World Health Organisation. Greater Geelong had 62 conirmed coronavirus cases when the Independent went to press, of which 53 were diagnosed at least a fortnight ago. he Surf Coast Shire had 10, compared to nine on April 3, according to the Department of
Health and Human Services. Only ive of 72 COVID-19 cases in Geelong and the Surf Coast have required hospital admission, according to Barwon Health head of infectious diseases Eugene Athan. “he vast majority of COVID-19 cases in the region have been mild enough to recover at home without hospital treatment,” Professor Athan said. “None of our COVID-19 patients have required admission for intensive care, and we’re pleased that each of the current conirmed cases have been able to recover at home.” Professor Athan commended locals for helping to reduce the spread of the virus by
adhering to the physical distancing guidelines. “But it’s important to remain vigilant and stay at home when possible,” he warned. he result comes as the state government yesterday announced renovations to mobilise the former Geelong Private Hospital in the ight against coronavirus were almost complete. Over the past few weeks workers transformed the previously vacant building to provide a new acute respiratory assessment clinic with 50 new beds and consulting rooms. “Our health system has risen to the challenge to bring additional beds online in just a few short weeks,” Geelong MP Christine
Couzens said. he clinic has treated at least 147 patients since opening late March with referrals coming from GPs, screening clinics and Geelong’s public emergency department, according to the government. Screening and testing will continue at the drive-through service at Barwon Health North, which is testing up to 80 people a day with capacity to scale up if required, a government spokesperson said. he transformation of the former hospital is part of a $1.9 billion state government health fund to increase hospital beds by 700 across Victoria.
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@CCouzensMP
Funded from the Parliamentary Budget
Member for Geelong
Funded from the Parliamentary Budget
Christine Couzens MP
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