Victoria’s COVID bushfire burning out of control

Daniel Andrews likened the COVID-19 crisis to a public health bushfire. If so, then Victoria is ablaze with spot fires spreading as quickly as new ones are emerging. The catastrophe has exposed the shortcomings of a government that appears constantly on the back foot, writes Shannon Deery.

In the fight against coronavirus, time is of the essence.

Swift, decisive and tough action has generally seen disaster avoided.

Victoria looked like it was headed that way, but a series of stalled responses and mismanagement by the state government — and now with aged care the federal government — is costing Victorian lives. The toll is now 105 and counting.

Victoria’s catastrophic second wave has exposed the shortcomings of leadership that appears very much on the back foot. Daniel Andrews has likened the current crisis to a public health bushfire, and Victoria is now ablaze with spot fires that are spreading as quickly as new ones are emerging.

Yet chasing after spot fires and trying to put them out after they’re raging is not the answer. For weeks, locals in Colac called for tougher restrictions after an outbreak at a local abattoir. The cluster was made worse after workers were mistakenly told not to self-isolate on the advice of Department of Health and Human Services.

It took until yesterday for the Premier to announce tougher restrictions for the area — but the horse had already bolted.

Medical workers speak at the entrance of the Epping Gardens aged care facility. AFP

There were similar delays moving aged care facility residents who tested positive for COVID-19 to hospital.

Aged care is a clear responsibility of the federal government, yet talks with Victorian health officials about freeing up beds for aged-care transfers that started on July 15 had little effect. The following day, Victoria moved to stop all category three surgery.

At that time, there were about 100 positive cases linked to about 30 facilities.

Yet delays to patient transfers continued, with reports from aged-care providers that they were still having issues sending COVID-19 patients to hospital.

There are now more than 800 positive cases and at least 87 facilities have been affected.

It took until the weekend for the federal and state governments to team up to set up the Victorian Aged Care Response Centre.

It took until Tuesday for a broader elective surgery pause, freeing up more hospital beds.

Delays in contact tracing have also contributed to the crisis spiralling out of control.

There have been reports that in some cases it has taken weeks for contact tracing to be completed.

Daniel Andrews’ government appears to be very much on the back foot. Picture: Getty

This is exposing too many Victorians to risk.

The contact tracing team has been bolstered, but the delays continue.

There was a delay, too, in accepting ADF help that saw the bizarre situation of the government requesting help, then refusing it, then finally accepting it.

And it took too long for the hotel quarantine system to be brought under control, given problems were first flagged within 24 hours of the scheme starting.

Since the start of the pandemic, Victorians have endured the toughest lockdown restrictions in the country. Overwhelmingly, we’ve stayed home, worn our masks, done the right thing.

We have put our faith in the Victorian government to navigate the crisis.

We shouldn’t be in this situation. It’s now at a point where the government seems to have lost control.

Sources say updated medical advice could advocate closing down non-essential industries. If that is official advice, it must be followed. More delays will only lead to more deaths.

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