<
https://www.thecourier.com.au/story/8607418/covid-19-and-flu-update-ballarat-masks-still-matter-in-2024/>
"MASKS still matter is the advice from the region's public health leader as the
community faces rising cases of COVID-19 and influenza.
Grampians Public Health Unit chief strategy and regions officer Rob Grenfell
said COVID-19 persisted in being a problem in the Ballarat region with new
surges in the virus every time a new variant hits Australian shores.
COVID-19 cases continue to impact bed availability and staffing at Grampians
Health Ballarat Base Hospital with 14 COVID-positive patients in hospital as of
Monday morning. This did not include patients with influenza.
Dr Grenfell said both viruses were a serious concern, particularly for those at
a higher risk of severe outcomes - and many people had loved ones under threat.
"The issue for people out there are those with impaired immunity," Dr Grenfell
said. "We're continuing to bring outbreaks in aged care centres under
control...we're testing inpatients and those across our cancer wards.
"If everybody who is symptomatic tests themselves, many will show they have
COVID-19."
The nation's drug regulator, the Therapeutic Goods Administrator, has also been
urging people to check their rapid antigen tests (commonly known as a RAT) and
to not use a kit after its expiry or use-by date.
City of Ballarat's free RAT program finished at the end of 2023.
Dr Grenfell said all the health and hygiene lessons from COVID-19 still
mattered to prevent viral outbreaks: social distancing; hand hygiene; good
ventilation; wearing masks when in closed spaces and unable to social distance;
and, keeping vaccinations up to date.
He said masks do work as a line of protection and people should consider
masking up once more."
Via Violet Blue’s
Pandemic Roundup: May 9, 2024
http://https//www.patreon.com/posts/pandemic-roundup-103924380
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
