South coast COVID-19: Doctor urges vigilance after close contacts test negative

A south coast doctor has urged residents to make sure they are wearing wear a mask wherever possible as nursing homes reopen from lockdown.

South coast nursing homes have now reopened after they were forced to lockdown on January 1 due to confirmed COVID-19 cases visiting a number of venues while on holiday. Picture: Gaye Gerard

South coast nursing homes have reopened after all known close contacts of two Victorian travellers who tested positive to COVID-19 received negative test results.

Last year’s Royal Australian College of General Practitioners General Practitioner of the year, Duncan MacKinnon, said while the reopening is a good sign the region has averted a possible public health crisis, residents must stay vigilant.

“At the moment we still have to practice what we preach so we don’t have a UK-style situation,” the south coast GP said.

“I think we should all be following NSW Health guidelines and advice, and if you’ve got a mask then wear it.

Last year’s Royal Australian College of General Practitioners General Practitioner of the year, Duncan MacKinnon, has advised residents to wear a mask if they have one. Picture: Supplied

“I know it’s not mandatory, but the government is walking a fine line and it should be mandatory for a bigger area than it is now.

“We can’t afford to be complacent.”

The two Victorian cases, who visited venues in Eden and Bermagui, received their positive results after being tested at the South East Regional Hospital in Bega on New Year’s Eve before returning home to isolate.

Pop-up testing clinics were put in place on the south coast after two Victorian visitors tested positive to COVID-19. Picture: SNSWLHD Facebook

The pair were close contacts with a confirmed Victorian case.

The Victorian government closed the border with NSW on New Year’s Eve forcing thousands of tourists to rush home or face hotel quarantine.

Bega Valley mayor Russell Fitzpatrick confirmed on Tuesday all known close contacts of the pair have now been tested. All returned negative results, he said.

“Many health workers have cancelled holiday and family time to come back to work and provide extra testing and support services,” a spokesman for the Southern NSW Local Health District said.

Sapphire Coast Community Aged Care Group CEO Matt Sierp said the organisation received a notification to put all facilities in lockdown from the Public Health Unit on New Year’s Day.

A further notification to reopen was received on January 5, he said.

“We continue to screen all staff and visitors prior to entry and ensure no one has been to any area of concern as identified by NSW Health,” Mr Sierp said.

Dr MacKinnon said he wrote to the NSW Premier before Christmas urging her to lock down the northern beaches, and said the government was doing a good job at controlling the pandemic.

“We should be thankful. We have control of the pandemic, so we just have to shut it down when it appears,” he said.

“As health professionals we have very good lines of communication now when there are cases.”

The positive cases visited Eden's Great Southern Inn (above) and Bermagui's Beachside Cafe. Picture: Google Maps

Dr MacKinnon said the COVID vaccine was only one part of lessening the spread of the virus.

“I am 99 per cent sure they are safe, but we must maintain high standards,” he said.

“If the pandemic was out of control like in the UK and the US then we would have no choice but to try an early vaccination program.

“If you are vaccinated it only stops you having a life-threatening disease, not catching or spreading the virus.

“The vaccines don’t give you a passport to act without regard to COVID, and you can’t vaccinate a whole population at once.

“Getting tested is the answer.”

NSW recorded four new locally acquired cases of COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8pm on Tuesday.

An additional case was also recorded in a returned traveller, bringing the total number of COVID-19 cases in NSW since the beginning of the pandemic to 4789.