DenisCOVIDinfoguy, 15 days ago

COVID-19 and flu update Ballarat: Masks Still Matter in 2024 | thecourier.com.au

"MASKS still matter is the advice from the region's public health leader as the community faces rising cases of COVID-19 and influenza."

"If everybody who is symptomatic tests themselves, many will show they have COVID-19." - Dr Rob Grenfell, Grampians Public Health Unit chief strategy and regions officer

#COVID19 #Ballarat #Masks #COVIDisAirborne #COVIDisNotOver @auscovid19

Source: https://www.thecourier.com.au/story/8607418/covid-19-and-flu-update-ballarat-masks-still-matter-in-2024/

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. If sick - even with a sniffle - Dr Grenfell urged people to stay at home.