Rapid response to country COVID-19 concern
A $52 million package to assist people living in the bush who have coronavirus or suspected cases of the killer bug will be announced today.
QLD Coronavirus News
Don't miss out on the headlines from QLD Coronavirus News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
PEOPLE living in the bush who have coronavirus or suspected cases of the killer bug will be evacuated by air to the nearest medical facility for urgent treatment, thanks to a $52.8 million federal rapid-response aeromedical retrieval package announced today.
The cash injection is expected to increase normal emergency support by 50 per cent through the COVID-19 pandemic and allow a lifesaving, speedy response to outbreaks in rural or remote communities.
Battleplan for 14,000 new jobs amid pandemic
What school looks like for returning students
Extra flights will also allow GP respiratory clinics to be set up quickly in affected areas.
Federal Regional Health Minister Mark Coulton revealed the plan to The Courier-Mail ahead of making the announcement at the Royal Flying Doctor Service base in Dubbo today.
“This package will increase the capacity to evacuate early COVID-19 cases in remote areas and enable a more effective response if an outbreak occurs,” Minister Coulton said.
“COVID-19 is affecting every Australian no matter where they live, and we’re putting in place measures that will support regional Australians to get through this pandemic.
“This package will boost the ability to provide medical evacuations for patients in remote and rural areas across Australia by up to 50 per cent.”
The funding will help the RFDS to evacuate initial COVID-19 cases and suspected cases; deliver fly-in GP respiratory clinics, including testing, for a broader outbreak; preposition and replenish personal protective equipment for frontline medical staff.
RFDS Federation executive director Frank Quinlan said the extra funding “gives country Australians confidence and assurance that they are cared for through this pandemic – and the RFDS is ready”.
The package also includes funding for CareFlight and other state and territory aeromedical departments to enable more evacuations.
Bleijie confirms LNP will ‘consider’ ditching $3.2m in Covid fines
The government will consider waiving $3.2m worth of outstanding Covid fines, Acting Premier Jarrod Bleijie has revealed.
Australian-first dual vaccine to win over the hesitant, compromised
A combined Covid-19 and influenza vaccine is being trialled in Queensland in the hope it will protect people who otherwise cannot have, or are hesitant about, another type.