Australia’s Way of Handling and Containing the Coronavirus

The global number of confirmed cases reported till now are around 381,649 and over 16,000 deaths has been recorded. Australia reported approximately 2,136 confirmed cases till now and eight deaths (as on 24 March 2020, AEDT 15:00 PM).

The Australian PM, Scott Morrison revealed new methods to safeguard Australians from coronavirus (COVID-19) on 22 March 2020.

The Prime Minister, and state and territory Premiers along with Chief Ministers consented to take further actions to actively support social distancing measures and to safeguard the Australian community from the spread of deadly coronavirus. Chief Ministers and Leaders agreed and mentioned that through their own legislative procedures they would give effect to these restrictions and accordingly make announcements.

Moreover, he also added that little bit more time allows everyone to prepare the health system better and put measures in place to safeguard and protect Australian lives from this deadly infection.

The below mentioned amenities will be restricted from opening, beginning 23 March 2020 and Australians should expect these measures to be in place for at least for six months.

The PM also stated that Australia has been containing virus better than many other nations and pointed to a proactive method of virus detection as the reason why its spread was still more contained than in many other countries.

Preparing for a Coronavirus pandemic

In Australia the emergency response strategy of Government reveals that the country is well placed worldwide to respond to any widespread outbreak, saying that the dangers should not be under-estimated.

PM of Australia also stated that if Australians intend to reduce the spread, every person should implement proper social distancing in accordance with the territory as well as state laws.

Plan of Australia to Combat Coronavirus-

The novel coronavirus (nCOVID-19) outbreak represents a considerable threat to Australia and has the potential to trigger high levels of mortality and morbidity and to disrupt the community socially as well as economically.

The national approach to this plan has been based on the Australian Health Management Plan for Pandemic Influenza, remarking that the response to the coronavirus outbreak is now in its primary action stage.

Australia will approach this novel coronavirus outbreak by undertaking activities to:

• Monitoring and investigating the outbreaks as they occur;
• Identification and characterisation of the nature of the virus and the clinical severity of outbreak;
• Research respiratory disease-specific management strategies;
• To respond quickly and in an effective manner to reduce the impact of novel coronavirus (n-COVID-19) outbreak;
• Undertake strategies to lessen the probability of further transmission of infection;
• Contribute to the rapid and confident recovery of individuals, communities and services.

Latest AHPPC statements on Coronavirus (COVID-19)

As of now, Australia has more than 1,000 cases of COVID-19 and is undoubtedly concerned at the rate of increase in cases and potential trajectory.

Without reducing the importance of the climb in case numbers, it is notable that the situation with first 1,000 in Australia is somewhat different as the other countries such as Italy and the United States had faced when the number of infected people were 1,000 in these nations.

Australian Government mentioned that over half of the cases in the country were still imported from overseas or through their direct contacts. Also, Australia has one of the lowest coronavirus infection test positivity rates across the globe.

Till now only seven deaths have been recorded in the country and all in individuals aged 75 or more and so far, fewer than 20 people have had required ICU treatment. This indicates that Australia does not have a huge proportion of unobserved incidents in the population, as was likely the case in Italy, which is still struggling valiantly to control this dreadful virus, the United States, and other countries. The early detection and control work provided by the research and laboratories in Australia were efficient.

Current Measures

• In spite of the above, the recent rapid increase in the number of imported cases along with related chains of communication, such as super-spreader events and cruise ships, suggests that at this time the nation require to take further action;
• Moreover, there is a solid argument to do more, at least in the short term, to enforce the new way of life in social distancing that nation would have to acclimate and endure the mindset of Community. Additionally, this will also permit more time to consolidate preparing health system and assess measures that are already applied in Australia, and to learn from interventions in other countries.

To Know More, Do Read: Is the Australian health care sector prepared for COVID-19 pandemic?

In Australia, the three zones were created for provisional quarantine of people who requested repatriation from Wuhan city, China, and the Diamond Princess cruise ship situated at a Japanese port-

• Biosecurity (Human Health Response Zone)- Howard Springs Accommodation Village Determination 2020;
• Biosecurity (Human Health Response Zone)- Royal Australian Air Force Base Learmonth Determination 2020;
• Biosecurity (Human Health Response Zone) (North West Point Immigration Detention Centre) Determination 2020.

Advice for aged care amenities-

The Government also advised aged care resources to take extra precautions and care as the outbreak of this virus in an aged care facility can cause major issues.

Also, the Government recommended not to visit aged care facilities if anyone has-

• come back from overseas in the previous fourteen days;
• stayed in contact with a confirmed case of coronavirus (COVID-19) in the past fourteen days;
• shown signs of fever or indications of a respiratory infection such as sore throat cough or breath shortness.

The precautions when it comes to visits include-

• All aged care facilities must make sure visits should be for short duration;
• They should not allow more than two visitors, including doctors, at a time;
• Age care facilities must make sure visits occur in a resident’s room, outdoors, or in a specific area they designate - there should not be any visiting in communal places;
• During visits the aged care facilities must ensure that there are no large group visits or gatherings, including social entertainment or activities.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Campaign

Recently, a campaign (national) has been introduced to advise all the Australian natives about the coronavirus. The campaign under discussion intends to lessen the threat to the people and families by allowing them to make well informed choices and to accept health related suggestions.

Australia is well prepared for the attack of coronavirus, the health Government and other ministries are working together to combat COVID-19, as the Prime Minister stated social distancing is the best precautionary measure at this time, and the citizens should take it seriously.

Also Read: Coronavirus Triggers Fears about Chinese Economic Growth

Disclaimer

This website is a service of Kalkine Media Pty. Ltd. A.C.N. 629 651 672. The website has been prepared for informational purposes only and is not intended to be used as a complete source of information on any particular company. Kalkine Media does not in any way endorse or recommend individuals, products or services that may be discussed on this site. Our publications are NOT a solicitation or recommendation to buy, sell or hold. We are neither licensed nor qualified to provide investment advice.