Coronavirus test tents go up at Heidelberg Repatriation Hospital site
It looks like a Hollywood movie scene but the reality of the coronavirus threat loomed large as huge screening tents were put up at a hospital in Melbourne’s north - with surrounding suburbs fast becoming a virus hotspot.
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Austin Health is erecting tents in the gardens of the Heidelberg Repatriation Hospital for coronavirus screening.
In a statement, an Austin Health spokesman said the tents, put up yesterday, will only be used if there is not enough room in the hospital.
It comes as the hospital’s northern Melbourne region was revealed to haveMelbourne’s second-highest number of coronavirus cases.
Social media users were quick to report on the sight, with one describing it as “surreal” and “very jarring”.
@3AW693 Austin Repat Heidelberg - setting up makeshift hospital #COVID19Aus @DeeDeeDunleavy pic.twitter.com/CW27rbk0wG
— Nina (@neens_25) March 31, 2020
I live near the Heidelberg Repat Hospital and it was very jarring to see them setting up tents today in anticipation of large numbers of Covid-19 patients. So surreal.
— Tovarishch Yevgeny (@RepeatMyError) March 31, 2020
The move comes as the latest statistics reveal Banyule is now the second-most infected area in the state.
There are now 48 confirmed cases in the municipality, more than double the number recorded last Friday.
Victoria now has 968 confirmed cases of coronavirus, with 51 cases recorded overnight.
The number of community transmissions continues to rise, with 39 cases now confirmed.
Austin Health’s emergency measures are similar to those being taken in the United States.
In New York City’s iconic central park, tents have been erected as a field hospital while the city battles the pandemic.
Austin Health’s will only be used for screening patients, not as an in-patient facility.
Medical tents going up in Central Park. A naval hospital ship arriving in the Hudson River.
— Greg Miller (@gregpmiller) March 30, 2020
New York is ground zero again. pic.twitter.com/I7PIB0kuYF
Austin Health is acting as a screening facility for coronavirus.
If you think you may have the infection, you can fill out an online screening tool here.
This will determine if you should go to the hospital.
The hospital also has a coronavirus hotline available at 9496 6606.
MORE:
MELBOURNE’S DAILY CORONAVIRUS CASE UPDATE
The number is available every day from 8am to 8pm.
The operator will help the caller determine if they need to be tested and book an appointment if necessary.
To stay up to date with the latest information see the Department of Health and Human Services website.