Cairns Covid: Together Union rep Dr Dandy Government wants public health measures

Frustrations are boiling over as the Far North braces for a third wave of Covid infections, with staff shortages and exhaustion putting the health service under strain.

FRUSTRATIONS are boiling over as the Far North braces for a third wave of Covid infections, with staff shortages and exhaustion putting the health service under strain.

Cairns doctor and Together Union representative Dr Sandy Donald said the removal of state government mandates around masks and other measures which helped to slow the spread of Covid would impact the sector.

Grace Darragh, Jodie Bryde, Dylon Wright and Karlee Vale mask up to prevent the spread of the Omicron variant of the coronavirus. Picture: Brendan Radke

“The overwhelming frustration has been the failure of governments to continue pushing public health measures that can reduce the spread of infectious diseases,” he said.

“Washing hands, sneeze into the elbow, wear a mask in crowded spaces, and most importantly, when you have cold or flu symptoms try to stay home or at least avoid crowded and poorly ventilated locations.”

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Dr Donald said staff sick leave was at a high level.

“Mental and physical exhaustion are certainly a problem for some, and many staff are concerned about the adverse impact on patients of the reduction of non-urgent service,” he said.

Originally published as Cairns Covid: Together Union rep Dr Dandy Government wants public health measures