Australian Reports of the Virus Spread

[Flashback]

Text results have been in SA for a while but mostly Pathology tests are not as simple as a Yes/No result.

The way it usually works here is a negative result will be communicated in the message, if it's anything more then it's a 'please contact your Dr to discuss further'. That works well I find.

 

[dajop]

On the topic of testing, I got tested due to persistent sore throat, occasional cough etc, just to be sure (test was negative). Test is supposed to free for all in Vic, but I got a bill from the pathology lab as I'm a non-medicare card holding non-resident, cost was $283. Anyway, good starting point if tests will be required to facilitate international travel, that's another $300 fee to be added to the inbound journey

(nb: VicHealth going to follow up, as not supposed to pay for test).

 

[drron]

Should have come to Tassie.They even put this on their website.
"Overseas travellers who get sick in Australia (and are not eligible for Medicare) often have health or travel insurance.

For those who do not have adequate insurance coverage, Tasmanian hospitals will waive the costs of treatment and testing for COVID-19. This includes waiving payment and debt recovery procedures for ambulance transfers of people suspected to have coronavirus, who are taken to Tasmanian hospitals for assessment.

These arrangements have been put in place to ensure payment issues are not a barrier for people from overseas with symptoms of COVID-19 seeking early medical advice."

Testing

Get tested if you have any COVID-19 symptoms, even if mild. You still need to get tested even if you have been vaccinated.

www.coronavirus.tas.gov.au

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Text results have been in SA for a while but mostly Pathology tests are not as simple as a Yes/No result.

Yes Covid 19 results have been SMSed for a while in Vic.

The delay is caused by the time it takes the lab to do the test, rather than the communication of the result.

Dorevitch Patholgy had a delay issue this week as their 9000 tests per day capacity was not keeping up with the new rate of testing in Vic causing a delay in the result being known, and so they have now indicated that they would double their capacity.

They are not the only lab in Victoria. However in 4 of the last six days tests have been over 16,000 per day and one day was over day over 18,000.

 

[dajop]

Should have come to Tassie.They even put this on their website.

In theory, same in Victoria as per their website. Vic Health have suggested I don't pay the bill, and if the lab follows up with me chasing payment tell them that they're looking into it.

Do visitors from overseas, migrant workers and asylum seekers with symptoms have to pay for testing?

The coronavirus (COVID-19) test is free for everyone. This includes people without a Medicare card, such as visitors from overseas, migrant workers and asylum seekers.

If you have symptoms, you can receive a free test at any Victorian public respiratory clinic below. This does not include general practice (GP) clinics.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

With only 34 flu cases a third of the way through May (data is to 11 May) shows that Flu cases continue to be extremely low.

It will be interesting to see if it stays flat in June with Covid 19 measures now starting to be relaxed.

https://www.immunisationcoalition.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/11May-Aust-Flu-Stats-2020.pdf

 

[Pushka]

Chief Health Officer admits Cedar Meats cluster mishandled,
Victoria’s Chief Health Officer has said the Cedar Meats plant should have been shut down sooner when two linked cases of coronavirus were detected and admitted the “explosive outbreak” could have been handled better.

Brett Sutton on Thursday admitted “two linked cases is probably enough” to have shut down the abattoir, despite repeated government claims the “explosive outbreak” had been handled “perfectly”.

Sorry about bolding - pasted from the Vic news website and I can't change it here.

 

[jase05]

Is the quarantine period not long enough?
Another case today of someone who has been in quarantine at Brisbane since returning from OS and then testing positive after returning to their home state. The person flew from BNE to SYD on QF537 Tuesday and all on the flight will be contacted

 

[Pushka]

Is the quarantine period not long enough?
Another case today of someone who has been in quarantine at Brisbane since returning from OS and then testing positive after returning to their home state. The person flew from BNE to SYD on QF537 Tuesday and all on the flight will be contacted

Was just about to post the same. This is ridiculous. Are other states even testing people before they are released?

 

[jase05]

21 new cases in Victoria

 

[dajop]

21 new cases in Victoria

6 from travellers from overseas in quarantine, 1 from the meatworks, 2 from McDonalds Fawkner, 3 from known contacts, the other 9 under investigation.

 

[Pushka]

6 from travellers from overseas in quarantine, 1 from the meatworks, 2 from McDonalds Fawkner, 3 from known contacts, the other 9 under investigation.

Is it known how the McDonalds event started? Staff? The overseas people can be ignored. We really need Vic to quieten down "officially" so SA will open the border.

 

[Bundy Bear]

Looks like Queensland will be busy.
From abc.net.au
Queensland nursing home in lockdown after aged care worker contracts coronavirus

The 115-bed North Rockhampton Nursing Centre is in lockdown after a sick nurse kept working. She tested positive to coronavirus on Thursday and extensive contact tracing is now underway throughout the city

 

[jakeseven7]

Looks like Queensland will be busy.
From abc.net.au
Queensland nursing home in lockdown after aged care worker contracts coronavirus

The 115-bed North Rockhampton Nursing Centre is in lockdown after a sick nurse kept working. She tested positive to coronavirus on Thursday and extensive contact tracing is now underway throughout the city

Another solider on hero? I hope not...

One of my team even comes in with a sniff they are sent straight back out the door.

 

[Princess Fiona]

Looks like Queensland will be busy.
From abc.net.au
Queensland nursing home in lockdown after aged care worker contracts coronavirus

The 115-bed North Rockhampton Nursing Centre is in lockdown after a sick nurse kept working. She tested positive to coronavirus on Thursday and extensive contact tracing is now underway throughout the city

Another solider on hero? I hope not...

One of my team even comes in with a sniff they are sent straight back out the door.

We have mandatory temperature screening of everyone entering my hospital, also screening questions for respiratory symptoms.
In addition we ask all of our staff at handover about their health.

I truly hope this doesn’t turn into a repeat of the outbreak at Anglicare Newmarch.

 

[Pushka]

We have mandatory temperature screening of everyone entering my hospital, also screening questions for respiratory symptoms.
In addition we ask all of our staff at handover about their health.

I truly hope this doesn’t turn into a repeat of the outbreak at Anglicare Newmarch.

The homes were so quick to ban visitors, which comes at a significant mental health cost for all, but the spread came from within. I'm not saying that visitors weren't a risk but it was/is poorly managed and surely better risk management strategies could have been put in place to manage it without completely isolating everyone.

I'm wondering if the casualisation of the work force (sick = no pay; however they do get a higher hourly rate to compensate) has contributed to people working in these areas when they shouldn't be.

South Australia is now officially 'Covid free'.

 

[I love to travel]

I too am really questioning the incubation period. There seems to be evidence, albeit limited, that 14 days is not enough.

 

[drron]

Though with the fellow quarantined in BNE then flew to SYD they are saying he was infectious on the plane.Which means he would have been when leaving quarantine so it seems he wasn't tested before leaving the hotel in BNE.
So my questions are did he present in SYD with symptoms so tested.if so why did he not say so in BNE.If he did why no test.

 

[Pushka]

Though with the fellow quarantined in BNE then flew to SYD they are saying he was infectious on the plane.Which means he would have been when leaving quarantine so it seems he wasn't tested before leaving the hotel in BNE.
So my questions are did he present in SYD with symptoms so tested.if so why did he not say so in BNE.If he did why no test.

Because all he cared about was getting back to Sydney? People should be tested before leaving Quarantine. Period. Regardless of lack of symptoms. Surely that's the whole point of it all? Can't believe this doesn't happen.

 

[OZDUCK]

The last person in hospital in W.A with Covid-19 has now left ICU and is no longer testing 'positive'. They are still in hospital but being treated for other, pre-existing maybe, problems. So currently no people hospitalised with the disease in W.A. There are now 7 'active' cases.

Elective surgery rates are to be increased from Monday - from a quarter of normal rates to a half.