Coronavirus: What Sconeites Learnt This Week

OUR community is mobilising to adapt and help each other during the pandemic. The more we can educate each other, practice infection control and care for others, the better we will do as a community.

Send us your questions and concerns and we will do our best as a team to get the local information you need: coronavirus@scone.com.au.

Some of the things we were made aware of this week and some of the ways we can take action include:

Call First

• If you are concerned you may have the coronavirus, in the first instance phone: 1800 022 222.
• f you have symptoms of conronavirus, the cold or the flu, DO NOT present directly to health services, phone first: Scott Memorial Hospital (02 6540 2100), Scone Medical Practice (02 6545 1600) or pharmacies.
• If you need an ambulance for ANY reason, tell the operator if anyone in the household has any signs or symptoms of coronavirus, allowing the ambulance crew wear personal protective equipment (PPE) and ensuring they remain well and don’t need to be quarantined for 14 days. 
• Testing is conducted at the Scott Memorial Hospital, please phone prior to going to the hospital, to arrange for testing.

Local Help Is At Hand

• The Scone Medical Practice formed a group to help coordinate a local community response, keep you up to date and explain what this means for you and our community.
• If you have local questions about the coronavirus please email: coronavirus@scone.com.au and we will source the best local information.
• Related story: Coronavirus: Local Help is at Hand.

Forgoing Medical Certificates

• If you run a business don’t ask your employees to go to the Scone Medical Practice for a medical certificate for symptoms of coronavirus, the cold or the flu;
• Consider suspending your usual protocols for medical certificates during the pandemic;
• Most employees will not be able to have a test to show they are negative to coronavirus;
• Related story: Call to Suspend Medical Certificates.

Helping Our Food Businesses

• Wash your hands before you sit down to eat;
• Use a card instead of cash to help stop the chain of infection – tap it instead!
• Don’t cancel a large booking, ask if they have catering, delivery or takeaway options;
• Today the government announced further restrictions on non-essential indoor venues – please understand food businesses will now need to restrict how many patrons can be in a room;
• Related story: Coronavirus: New Cafe Etiquette and Coronavirus: New Rules for Indoor Gatherings.

How To Help Our Neighbours

• You can pick up a card from the Scone Neighbourhood Resource Centre, fill out your details and drop off to a neighbour who may need support during self-isolation;
• The Centre is looking for volunteers to distribute the cards to letterboxes.
• Related story: Can You Help A Neighbour?

What Self-Isolation Involves

• We already have many people in self isolation in Scone, but it does not mean they have coronavirus.
• Self-isolation measures for people who have tested positive to coronavirus are different to people who are in precautionary self-isolation.
• There are simple infection control procedures to follow.
• People living with someone in precautionary self-isolation can go about their normal business outside the home.
• Related story: Coronavirus: Self-Isolating in Scone.

Understanding the Curve and Testing

• Dr Richard Abbott explained what the curve means, the importance of flattening the curve and the current testing protocols: Coronavirus: The Curve and Testing Explained.

More information: Local Coronavirus Response.