Community Services Industry Communique (COVID—19 Recovery) — Public Health Responses to Questions
19 January 2022 COVID-19 Modelling/Expectations: 1. What is the current Public Health approach and messaging on COVID-19? The Premier said on Thursday (20/1) we will “get through this transition phase in the coming weeks and months, we will get to a point where this is no longer a pandemic…” and treat COVID-19 like the flu. Is there an indication of when this point will be and when we will see the current wave peak and recede? The Kirby modelling commissioned by the State Government in 2021 prior to borders opening suggested a slower rate of infection with a peak in March-April 2022. This seems to have happened quicker than the Kirby modelling predicted. There has been a recent dip in case numbers, but we will need to wait to see whether this is a trend or not. Omicron changed the ball game. All the preparation prior to 15 December was for Delta, with all indications suggesting that our highly vaccinated population would see us well prepared. Omicron has been a different virus. It is more transmissible, resulting in infection rates and case numbers rising much faster than anticipated. This has required rapid changes to Public Health response, particularly relating to communicating and managing isolation and cases. This has resulted in a shift from community-wide trace and track to a greater focus on managing outbreaks, particularly those in high-risk settings and/or with vulnerable populations. The current wave of cases and transmission appears to be greatest in 20-40 year old age group. We need to consider what it will look like to have higher rates of COVID in the community for older people, and for other people at greater risk of severe ill health or death due to COVID-19. In light of this, Public Health is working in partnership with targeted sectors, including the aged, disability, and child care sectors in particular. There are many questions we don’t have comprehensive answers to, but we are learning as we go, and learning from other states and territories. Outbreak Management and Business Continuity:
Contact Points for Advice: 2. Many organisations operate outside of regular business hours and may need clarification or advice on Public Health requirements quickly in order to ensure service delivery can continue. • Is there a direct and timely liaison point with Public Health and the COVID-19 Operations Centre that is specific to service delivery for community service organisations? • Is advice available outside of regular business hours? Public Health have medical and nursing staff who are tasked with specific focus in certain sectors/industries, however it is unlikely that there would be consistent access to these individuals outside of regular business hours. The main point of access is through the Public Health Hotline — 1800 671 738. The hotline maintains an out of hours contact option with a Clinical Nursing Consultant on call until at least 9pm. Public Health acknowledges this means there remains a gap from at least 9pm-8am. The Department of Health are in the process of setting up a dedicated outbreak response team and will take on board the feedback of this group and investigate the scope for another line of communication. For now, however, the Public Health Hotline remains the best option.
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