Kids to be vaxxed from next week as Victoria records 17,636 cases

Elective surgery will be cut across Victoria as hospitals struggle with an influx of Covid patients, while paramedics are unable to keep up with a flood of call-outs.

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Victoria has recorded 17,636 new cases and 11 deaths on Wednesday.

And hospitalisations have spiked by 15 per cent in the past 24 hours, with 591 people currently in hospital – up from 516.

Of those in hospital, 106 are in intensive care and 20 people are on ventilators.

It comes as the state government considers introducing additional restrictions to slow the spread of the virus.

Victoria has secured an extra 10 million rapid antigen tests to be rolled out to vulnerable people and those who are contacts of Covid cases.

Acting Premier Jacinta Allan on Wednesday confirmed the government’s total order had risen to 44 million RATs.

The first order is due within the next week.

The state government is also providing a “small number” of rapid antigen tests to people waiting in queues at testing centres.

People in line at centres in Cranbourne, Coolaroo, Deakin University’s Burwood campus and Melbourne Showgrounds could be given the RATs if they are asymptomatic as part of a pilot program aimed to ease pressure and wait times at PCR testing sites.

“Stock is strictly limited. We strongly discourage travelling for the purpose of getting a rapid antigen test at a PCR testing centre, as there may not be one available,” the Department of Health said.

As part of a pilot program, a small number of single Rapid Antigen Tests are being distributed today at four PCR testing centres in Cranbourne, Coolaroo, Deakin University Burwood, and Melbourne Showgrounds.

— VicGovDH (@VicGovDH) January 5, 2022

ELECTIVE SURGERY CUT

Elective surgery will be temporarily reduced to urgent procedures only as hospitals struggle with an influx of Covid-19 patients.

In an update on Wednesday afternoon, the health department said the new rule would take effect from Thursday and apply to both public and private hospitals across Melbourne and major regional cities.

All emergency surgery and urgent elective surgery will continue.

“As the Omicron strain continues to spread rapidly, these changes will reduce the strain on our hospitals by ensuring as many resources as possible are available across the system to manage both Covid-19 demand, as well as other patients with emergency and urgent medical needs,” the health department said in a statement.

“Elective surgery reductions will also help to make sure our dedicated healthcare workers can focus on managing existing demand and preparing for additional coronavirus patients.”

The reductions will apply to public health services in Melbourne and Barwon Health, Ballarat Health Services, Grampians Health, Bendigo Health, Goulburn Valley Health and Latrobe Regional Hospital.

Private hospitals and day procedure centres in Melbourne and private hospitals in Geelong, Bendigo, Ballarat, the Latrobe Valley and Shepparton will also be required to follow the same restrictions.

Elective surgery procedures where patients are already scheduled for admission on Thursday and Friday can still take place if it is not safe to postone.

AMBOS AT POINT BREAK ON CALL-OUTS

Melbourne paramedics are unable to keep up with a flood of Covid-related patients overrunning the health system, particularly those who are unvaccinated.

Ambulances are already being sent to more than 200 Covid call-outs a day, but that number is expected to multiply in coming days and weeks.

Senior paramedics have told the Herald Sun of growing frustrations among their ranks due to the heavy demand from non-vaccinated people now wanting treatment.

Ambulance Victoria issued a “code red” overnight on Tuesday, limiting responses to the most urgent cases, after its depleted workforce became overrun for several hours.

In a message sent at midnight, it warned: “It is likely there will be a delay in an ambulance reaching you.” The code red was called off after pressure eased at 3am.

It is believed about 500 Ambulance Victoria paramedics are off work because they either have Covid-19, are close contacts of cases, or are awaiting tests so they can be cleared to return to work.

Those still on the road are being plagued by ramping at hospital emergency departments, which are also overrun by similar Covid-related issues.

One senior paramedic told the Herald Sun ambulances were constantly being sent to what they call “Covid houses” – where most of the occupants are infectious and almost ­always unvaccinated.

The calls not only tie up lifesaving resources, but increase the chance that paramedics will be exposed to the virus and forced to miss work.

Paramedics are becoming frustrated at the number of calls-outs to non-emergency incidents.

A paramedic said Melbourne’s west, in particular Caroline Springs, was the worst for these cases with between 40 and 50 per cent of call-outs related to Covid.

“I haven’t gone to a vaccinated person with Covid yet,” the paramedic said.

“In one family, everyone had it except one member who was forced to get jabbed to keep his job. They’re opposed to vaccination but always make excuses to the ambos like they hadn’t had time to have it done or that some natural healer had told them not to.

“They get it by choice now.”

Ambulance Victoria sources confirmed paramedics were dealing with high numbers of call-outs to houses full of Covid-infected occupants, but said no statistics were being collated on those who were unvaccinated.

An AV spokeswoman said ambulances were attending more than 200 Covid call-outs daily and urged people to reserve triple-0 calls solely for emergencies.

“In addition to vaccination, paramedics continue to use personal protective equipment when attending all cases, including suspected Covid-19 call-outs,” she said. “Getting vaccinated, including your third dose is the best way to protect yourself, your loved ones and your community.”

One paramedic told the Herald Sun there were now a lot of cases where people were in trouble because of an earlier Covid infection, such as a case where a patient suffered extensive lung damage and is now under severe threat from a chest infection.

Ambulance Victoria acting chief, Libby Murphy, said she hoped about 250 paramedics would soon return to work when rapid antigen tests were available, but warned the “unprecedented” pressures which crippled the service on Tuesday could recur in coming weeks.

Ms Murphy also revealed that one in four calls for help were deemed non-emergency, including Victorians struggling to find PCR or RAT tests, or minor issues better served by GPs or Nurse on Call.

“We know that (Covid) is spreading across the community and I think the numbers are indicative of that and they will probably continue to climb as we go into endemic as opposed to pandemic,” she said.

“I think it’s absolutely ­related to Covid. I think it’s people not understanding some of the pathways that are available.”

KIDS TO BE JABBED FROM NEXT WEEK

Children aged 5-11 years old will be able to get a Covid vaccine from next Monday, with bookings to open online or via the hotline from 1pm on Wednesday.

It comes after technical difficulties led to a delay in updating the online booking system.

Acting Premier Jacinta Allan said the rollout would “set kids up to return to school” in the coming weeks.

The 18 state-run vaccination centres will administer the vaccine – one third of the dose given to those aged over 12 – in designated nature and animal-themed areas, to give children a “forest of protection” against the virus.

Meanwhile, teachers, parents and doctors have called on the state and federal governments to provide more certainty around the rollout.

Federal Covid-19 taskforce commander Lieutenant-General John Frewen on Tuesday confirmed there was “no issue” with vaccine supply but many doctors have been forced to turn eager parents away because they still have not received confirmation of supply.

Prominent GP Mukesh Haikerwal said he planned to begin the rollout over the weekend, but wouldn’t accept bookings until the paediatric Pfizer doses were in the fridge.

“Some (GPs) will take a punt, but others who have been burnt on previous occasions will wait until the vaccines are physically in the fridge,” he said.

Dr Haikerwal said the mass confusion could have been avoided if governments briefed doctors before making public announcements.

A young boy receives a dose of the Pfizer vaccine in Israel. Picture: AFP

“They want to announce it because it looks really good, but no one gets a chance to prepare for it. Just saying something is going to happen doesn’t mean it’s going to happen,” he said.

While the online booking system for state-run clinics was being retested on Tuesday night, Victoria’s Covid-19 commander Jeroen Weimar said the technical glitch wouldn’t delay the rollout.

“I know many parents will be very keen to get their children vaccinated so they can join the rest of us and face a future with more confidence,” he said.

But key stakeholders have called for governments to urgently provide confidence that kids will be vaccinated before they return to school.

Australian Education Union Victorian branch president Meredith Peace said: “Education staff, parents and students need clarity from the federal and state governments regarding the logistics of the rollout … and certainty from the federal government that the supply will be available when and where it is required”.

Parents Victoria executive officer Gail McHardy said parents should be told when and where kids can get vaccinated to ensure a “smooth process without any anxiety”. She said that would help to ensure a good start to the school year.

The federal government has ordered about 5.5 million of Pfizer’s paediatric doses for the 2.3 million Australian children aged 5-11.

ALBO CALLS FOR FREE RAPID TESTS

Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese is calling on the Morrison government to make rapid antigen tests free.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison will reportedly take a plan to national cabinet on Wednesday afternoon to give direct cash payments to low-income earners to buy up to five rapid antigen tests.

Mr Morrison is resisting pressure to make the tests free, despite the kits being in short supply and increasingly expensive.

Read the full story here

DJOKER DECISION SLAMMED

The decision to allow Novak Djokovic a medical exemption to contest the Australian Open has been described as “appalling” by former Australian Medical Association vice president Stephen Parnis.

“I don’t care how good a tennis player he is. If he’s refusing to get vaccinated, he shouldn’t be allowed in,” Parnis tweeted.

Tennis Australia chief Craig Tiley said Novak Djokovic would arrive in Victoria on Wednesday.

Mr Tiley said he empathised with the anger expressed by Victorians, particularly after Novak’s public stance against vaccinations.

But he refused to say exactly what exemption was granted to allow Djokovic to travel down under.

“It’s ultimately up to him to discuss with the public (about) his condition and why he received an exemption,” Mr Tiley said.

In total, there was 26 applications for a medical exemption – “a handful” were issued.

Tennis Australia chief executive Craig Tilley addresses the media on Djokovic’s vaccine exemption. Picture: David Crosling

BUSINESSES FORCED TO CLOSE, CUT HOURS

Hundreds of businesses are closing, delaying reopening for the year and reducing trading hours and services to manage Covid-hit staff.

Richmond business owner Richard Konarik said it was a day-by-day proposition whether his Frederick’s Grocers would trade.

“(It) hinges on whether we can have the staff and get the supply of produce we need,” he said.

An employee has been off with Covid, while others have been isolating and scrambling for tests. He has had to isolate twice.

Mr Konarik said he had been on a self-imposed lockdown for months to avoid Covid and reduce the chances of his Bridge Rd business having to close.

“I am worried about ordering stock and then having to close and throw it away,” he said. “There are already shortages of some items because people making or transporting it have Covid or are isolating. It is like being on a tightrope.”

He obtained 50 rapid tests and posted them on his Facebook page on Tuesday for $10 each. The phone did not stop ringing.

“We had to turn off the phones. Five hundred people turned up,” he said.

Toscano’s grocer has reduced trading hours at its Kew, Hawksburn and Richmond shops from 9am to 4pm to manage staff.

Popular Richmond cafe Pillar of Salt is takeaway only due to staff shortages.

Pubs such as the Spread Eagle and Precinct have had to close so staff can isolate, while the popular Stokehouse restaurant in St Kilda, like many other businesses, is reducing opening hours to manage.

US HITS ONE MILLION CASES IN 24 HOURS

The United States recorded more than one million Covid-19 cases on Monday, according to data from Johns Hopkins University, as the Omicron variant spread at a blistering pace.

There were 1,080,211 new cases in the country, a global record, with the number of cases doubling on the previous week.

It comes a day after top US pandemic adviser Anthony Fauci said the country was experiencing “almost a vertical increase” in Covid-19 cases, adding the peak may be only weeks away.

The heavily mutated Omicron strain — the most transmissible to date — accounted for around 59 per cent of national US cases in the week ending December 25, according to government modelling.

Read the latest international Covid news here.