Testing remains vital to containing COVID spread

News

With incidences of COVID and influenza remaining high in our community, people are still being urged to get tested for COVID should they have symptoms.

An average of 110 PCR tests a week have been conducted at Wonthaggi Hospital since May and Bass Coast Health (BCH) is encouraging more people to get tested, especially given there are 221 COVID cases in Bass Coast Shire as of 26 June.

BCH CEO Jan Child said while she understands the community is well and truly over the pandemic, she urged people to not be complacent about the risk COVID - and other illnesses – still pose, especially given the prevalence and severity of influenza locally.

“Winter is a high-risk time for the transmission of viruses because people are more likely to be indoors and therefore in close contact with each other,” she said.

“Testing helps us to identify COVID cases early and therefore limit the spread of COVID in the community. That’s why it’s vital that you get tested as soon as you show symptoms.”

COVID symptoms include a runny nose, sore throat and a cough, as well as muscle and joint pain.

The full range of COVID symptoms can be found here: https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/symptoms-and-risks

With the symptoms of COVID and influenza similar, a COVID test is the best way of determining which virus you have.

A Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) at home is particularly accurate if taken while you are symptomatic. If you have a negative RAT and continue to show symptoms, or have a positive RAT and no symptoms, please get a PCR test at Wonthaggi Hospital, the Phillip Island Health Hub or Wonthaggi Medical Group to rule out the possibility of a false negative test.

People can also request for a PCR test to indicate which virus they have, should they test negative to COVID. This result will be delivered to your GP and you will need to see your GP to obtain the test result.

COVID PCR tests and distribution of RATs are now being provided by Monash Health Pathology at Wonthaggi Hospital, 9am-1pm, Monday-Saturday (closed Sundays), and Phillip Island Health Hub, 12.30pm-3.30pm, Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

PCR tests are also available at Wonthaggi Medical Group’s Respiratory Clinic. Book online: www.wonthaggimedical.com.au and go to ‘Covid-19 Respiratory Clinic’.

“Please ensure your COVID vaccination is up-to-date and you have had your flu vaccination. Vaccination will give you the best possible protection against falling ill to these viruses,” Ms Child said.

“Also, please continue to follow the public health advice of wearing masks indoors and when in crowds, sanitise your hands often and stay at home if you are unwell. These measures will not only help to contain the spread of COVID but also influenza and other viruses.”

BCH Nurse Laura Mathieson has conducted COVID testing with BCH throughout the pandemic and continues to help with COVID testing at Wonthaggi Hospital when needed, although she has largely returned to nursing duties at the hospital.

She is now working as a pool nurse, assisting wherever she is needed across BCH, including the Integrated Care Unit which treats cancer and other patients, and also on Acute ward.

“It’s really good to be back on the ward because I like helping people. I’ve always loved nursing. Even before I was a nurse, I knew that’s what I wanted to do,” Laura said.

An employee of BCH for nearly four years, Laura began COVID testing in the original walk-in testing centre in the Stirton Room at Wonthaggi Hospital and then the testing tent at the front of the hospital.

She then transferred to the tent at the former Wonthaggi Secondary College site in McKenzie Street and also conducted COVID tests for people in their homes when they were unable to visit the testing tent.

“I enjoyed the testing team. They were the best team and we worked really well together. There were many scopes of practice and everyone knew their jobs,” Laura said.

She is an Enrolled Endorsed Nurse and next year will study to become a Registered Nurse.