Covid-19 Situation

COVID outbreak in Coober Pedy

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by the SARS -CoV-2 virus and is considered as a global pandemic. Most people who fall sick with COVID-19 will experience mild to moderate symptoms and recover without special treatment. Since the borders opened early this year, there is an increasing number of businesses opened and at the same time people visiting the community like tourists from interstate and indigenous people from surrounding communities like APY lands. Although the COVID-19 protocols were strictly implemented since it started, the number of people being tested for COVID grew for both adults and children alike. In line with this, the services around Coober Pedy as well as the team from SA health, SAPOL, SA pathology is working hand in hand to support the community with their needs whilst the number of people being tested positive escalates. Umoona Tjutagku Health Service (UTHS) help with the vaccination, swabbing, health assessments and chronic disease management to address the needs of the affected clients and coordinates with different agencies to help trace and quarantine contacts, prevent transmission in between persons and protect the vulnerable people. In addition, there are community programs being conducted to maximize the COVID vaccination and swabbing in the community to determine the number of positive cases as well as to provide safe and appropriate care for the affected patients according to the severity of the symptoms. Furthermore, information dissemination is also being conducted continuously to increase the number of people being tested and vaccinated through different platforms such as Facebook and Dusty radio.