Vulnerable Victorians take extreme measures to protect themselves against virus
Vulnerable Victorians and aged care homes have been forced to take extreme measures to protect themselves as the coronavirus crisis deepens. It comes as authorities bracing for the scenario that millions of people will be infected with the virus.
VIC News
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Victoria’s elderly and vulnerable face extended periods of quarantine to protect them from killer coronavirus.
Experts have told the Sunday Herald Sun aged-care homes are ready to take the precaution if the threat of the disease puts lives in danger.
Most centres have plans on standby to limit infection similar to those used to stop the spread of flu, which is also deadly.
People with conditions such as cystic fibrosis who are more susceptible to respiratory infections are also limiting possible exposure to coronavirus.
Point Cook resident Sam Ira has had two lung transplants after suffering cystic fibrosis and said coronavirus had become an everyday worry for him.
The 41-year-old has had a tough start to 2020 with smoke from the bushfires requiring him to take extra care, and now fears of COVID-19 infection.
“I don’t have an immune system,” Mr Ira said.
“I keep sterilising gel in my pocket and even alcohol wipes just in case, to get it out of my mind.”
He also takes precautions by wearing a panelbeater’s mask when outside gardening and making sure those around him wash their hands or use tongs when preparing food.
Mr Ira said for many people like him, living with cystic fibrosis required extra care about hygiene and avoiding public transport to avoid getting sick when an illness was going around.
“Normal people will now know what I am going through almost every day. That’s how I live every day,” he said.
He hopes the coronavirus will at least have the effect of making people without an immunity or respiratory issue more considerate of vulnerable people.
“I have to draw the line somewhere. I don’t just stay in the house,” he said.
Victoria’s chief health officer, Dr Brett Sutton, said people with elderly relatives and neighbours should check on them regularly.
Victorians are also urged to keep an eye on people with medical conditions such as heart and lung disease, as well as their own health.
“It is important to plan on how you and your family and pets would manage should you become unwell at some stage, and have some supplies of consumables or medication suitable for 14 days duration,’’ Dr Sutton said.
The Department of Health and Human Services is keeping doctors clinics, hospitals and aged-care homes up to date on the spread of coronavirus.
“Planning is being undertaken across the Victorian government and the emergency management sectors, and if needed there is a range of control options available to help minimise the spread,” a spokesman said.
Cystic Fibrosis Australia chief executive Nettie Burke, whose organisation represents more than 3000 people with the condition, said she was concerned about the coronavirus crisis.
The organisation has been advising cystic fibrosis patients to take extra precautions.
“If people with cystic fibrosis get a cold or flu it affects them a lot more than someone who doesn’t have a health condition, and it would be the same for the coronavirus,” Ms Burke said.
“We have been telling our community to elbow tap instead of shaking hands, stay away from those with respiratory issues, and take basic steps like regularly washing their hands.”
MILLIONS IN VIRUS’ PATH
Authorities are bracing for the scenario that millions of people will be infected with COVID-19 as it spreads across Victoria.
It comes as experts warn as many as 70 per cent of Australians could be exposed to the virus while scientists work to develop a vaccine.
There have been 71 confirmed cases in Australia, including two deaths.
NSW has the most confirmed cases, 34, followed by Queensland with 14, Victoria, 11 and SA with six, one each in Tasmania and WA.
Ten of the cases are linked to the Diamond Princess cruise ship.
Australia’s Chief Medical Officer, Brendan Murphy, told the Sunday Herald Sun agencies were preparing for a range of possibilities if the virus began spreading quickly.
“We are looking at scenarios from the most benign through to some millions of people being infected over a period of several weeks,” Professor Murphy said.
“We think our health system is well able to cope with that, but we are making sure.
“The parameters have been very clear to us: That we need to be sure that we plan for every eventuality and build capacity where we think it may be under pressure if we have one of the worst-case scenarios.”
Victoria’s Chief Health Officer, Brett Sutton said modelling showed the potential for thousands of cases in Victoria.
“In the best-case scenario, the outbreak starts slowly, the number of cases is minimised, and there is little to no disruption to normal life,” he said.
“However, when the epidemic peaks in a number of months, we could potentially see large numbers of people sick at the same time.”
Professor Sutton said frequent hand washing, covering sneezes and coughs and isolation at home if ill were the best ways to limit the outbreak.
The mortality rate of COVID-19 varies across countries but stands at 3.4 per cent globally because of the deaths reported in China.
In Germany and Spain it is below 1 per cent.
“There is currently no drug treatment for coronavirus,” Prof Sutton said.
“Health services have access to supportive measures that can substantially reduce the severity and overall mortality from this disease.
“We have a world-class hospital system that is well-prepared and rehearsed to deal with an escalation of cases of any infectious disease.”
Infectious diseases expert Raina MacIntyre said coronavirus could infect anywhere from 20 per cent to 70 per cent of Australians.
“I don’t think everyone will get it, necessarily,” she said.
Professor MacIntyre, who leads the Kirby Institute biosecurity program at the University of NSW, said Australia “should have a reasonable idea” of how far the virus will spread within two to four weeks.
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