APRIL 8, 2020 \ STARWEEKLY.COM.AU
Fighting fund set up By Benjamin Millar and Goya Dmytryshchak Western Health has established a dedicated Respiratory Assessment Clinic at Sunshine Hospital and prepared new wards with extra acute and intensive care capacity for coronavirus. It has also taken the extraordinary step of asking the public to help pay for vital equipment and services. An Emergency Relief Fund has been set up to help pay for new equipment to cover increased demand during the crisis situation, as well as fund telehealth services and a wellbeing program for frontline staf. Western Health Foundation director Julia White said although the health service had budgets in place, resources would be stretched to the limit ighting the COVID-19 pandemic. “he Emergency Response Fund will empower us to purchase those items we may not even know we need yet, and to do so quickly when we need to,” she said. It comes amid a glimmer of hope as Victoria’s chief health oicer on Sunday said the “curve is lattening” as the state recorded the lowest daily number of new cases since March 16, numbering 21. he latest Victorian Department of Health and Human Services data, released on Monday, showed 13 cases in Hobsons Bay, 10 in Maribyrnong, 27 in Wyndham, 28 in Brimbank and 33 in Moonee Valley. Victoria had 1191 coronavirus cases at the time Star Weekly went to print, and 10 people across the state had died. he number of community transmissions stands at 88. Western Health executive director of operations Natasha Toohey said preparations were being made for the worst case scenario. “As we’ve seen around the world, it’s very diicult to predict where outbreaks will occur,” she said. “Western Health has spent the past two months preparing, across all areas of our organisation, for a wide range of scenarios … [we have] plans in place to expand our intensive care units if required. his involves two main areas of preparation – getting the physical spaces ready and equipped and training additional staf to be ready to work in those
The COVID-19 team at Sunshine Hospital. (Jason South/The Age) 207252_01.
areas.” Ms Toohey said the organisation was looking to recruit additional health professionals, particularly those who are trained or have worked in intensive care, emergency and acute hospital-based areas. Premier Daniel Andrews has thanked the majority of Victorian’s for adhering tough stage
3 social distancing restrictions to help latten the curve. However, in 24 hours to Monday morning, Victoria Police had issued 108 ines and conducted 983 spot checks at homes, businesses and non-essential services across the state as part of Operation Sentinel. Meanwhile, Victorian schools are expected
to reopen next term for children of essential services workers but most students are expected to study remotely. he federal government has made childcare free for families for up to six months and sessional kindergarten will be free in term two. with Tate Papworth
SUBSCRIBE to our DIGITAL EDITION - It's FREE BOOK A UNIT IN APRIL 2020 & RECEIVE
3 MONTHS
50% off
ORDER YOUR MOVING CONSUMABLES &
RECEIVE DELIVERY
*
LIMITED TIME ONLY
*conditions apply, visit storagebox.com.au
23-25 SLOUGH RD, ALTONA EMAIL store@storagebox.com.au
freeeee.
*
03 9315 9888
TODAY
VISIT www.storagebox.com.au 12443223-NG15-20
Things to do
Follow us on Facebook to find out more.
kidswest
12446737-SG15-20