Local Advice on Coronavirus

YESTERDAY the World Health Organisation declared the coronavirus (COVID 19) a pandemic, which means it is a virus which has spread worldwide, rather than confined to epidemics within some countries.

The H1N1 strain of influenza (swine flu) in 2009 was the last pandemic declared by the WHO, which infected almost a quarter of the world’s population.

For the majority of people who contract the virus, they will only have mild or moderate symptoms, but it can have a more severe impact on patients who are elderly, have chronic illnesses or are immunosuppressed, so scone.com.au spoke to Dr Richard Abbott about how Scone was preparing for the virus and what the community can do to help protect our most vulnerable people.

“Fortunately, there have been no cases reported in the Upper Hunter so far,” said Dr Abbott.

“If you get cold or flu like symptoms, it is most likely the common cold or flu” he said. 

“It’s very unlikely that it is coronavirus at this stage and people should take the usual steps of isolating, ringing the hospital or practice to get advice; but unless they are at high risk of coronavirus, which means they have been in contact with a known case or have come from one of the high risk countries, China, Iran, Italy, South Korea then they are unlikely to have it,

“At this stage in Scone the chances of getting the virus is very low, but the risk is rising and we don’t know when we may have the first cases,” he said.

DO NOT present directly to the hospital, Scone Medical Practice or local pharmacies if you suspect you may have the coronavirus. Phone the healthdirect hotline in the first instance: 1800 022 222. For example, going to the pharmacy for medications if you do have the virus could result in the pharmacy being quarantined and nobody in the community being able to use the pharmacy. Please think of others.

Currently, the Scott Memorial Hospital in Scone will conduct testing for the coronavirus, however people should phone the hospital before presenting for testing or advice: 02 6540 2100.

“If people do think they may have the coronavirus they should definitely phone the hospital or the practice for advice before presenting,” said Dr Abbott.

“The surgery is not doing testing at this stage, but if they need a medical assessment we will initially do that over the phone or we can do Skype or What’s App consultations,” he said.

“Obviously not everyone is going to be able to use Skype or What’s App, but if people do have that it is ideal and there is a Medicare payment for the consultation; fortunately we have most of our patient’s details on file, but it would be handy for them to have the card with them during the phone or What’s App consultation.

“Most people with the virus will recover well at home with family members looking after them, the majority of people will just have flu like symptoms and it will be containable, but some people will get sicker and if it does become a major pandemic it can put pressure on the resources.

“The key is to dampen down the spread, to try to reduce the rate of the spread, because it is all about the capacity of the system to care for the people who do become really unwell; people who may need intensive care will be transferred to Maitland or Newcastle,” Dr Abbott said.

Ensuring the virus does not spread to the most vulnerable people in the community such as the elderly, chronically ill or immunosuppressed requires everyone’s help in the community and unnecessary panic buying will only cause extra pressure on the system.

“Frequent handwashing with soap for 20 seconds and using a hand sanitiser if you can’t get soap and water and not touching your face is the best thing people can do to protect themselves and others,” said Dr Abbott.

“The virus can survive for a significant time on surfaces, Norman Swan was talking about days to weeks, so while we don’t know the exact answer, it is potentially a significant time; so trying to limit the spread of drirect contact or contact with surfaces which have been contaminated is important,” he said. 

“They are not recommending wearing a mask unless you are symptomatic, it doesn’t really prevent you from getting the virus and they are trying to conserve masks for people who are symptomatic and health care workers,” he said.

“The ABC’s coronacast is a good source of information which answers most people’s questions and had up to date information, they are only 10 minute pieces and there have been a few of them, but I’d recommend people listen to them and watch the news to stay up to date,” he said.

“We certainly suggest people don’t panic buy because it is just going to cause extra supply pressure on the system, unfortunately the toilet paper has certainly already happened in Scone,” Dr Abbott said.

This season’s flu vaccine does not include protection for the coronavirus, but it is important that people who are at risk in the community have the vaccine to protect them from other flus and if more generally people have the vaccine it will reduce the general load on the healthy system this season.

At risk people can access the vaccine through the Scone Medical Practice and the broader public can have the vaccine at local pharmacies.

“People at risk having the vaccine is a good idea, we wouldn’t want them having a normal dose of the flu and coronavirus the same week,” said Dr Abbott.

“We are hoping it will be available in the next few weeks, but as soon as it is available there will be a lot of pressure on it, but certainly elderly people and people with chronic illness will be the first priority,” he said.

Information and action you can take:

• Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for 20 seconds;
• Use hand sanitiser when soap and water is not available;
• Avoid touching your face;
• Clean surfaces frequently as the virus may survive for days to weeks;
• ABC Coronacast – 10 minute information pieces, being updated every day;
• 1800 022 222 – Healthdirect help line – call them in the first instance if you believe you may have the coronavirus;
• 02 6540 2100 – Scott Memorial Hospital, Scone. Do NOT present to the hospital for testing without first phoning staff for advice.
• 02 6545 1600 – Scone Medical Practice. Do NOT present to the medical practice if you may have the virus, without first phoning staff for advice.
• Do NOT go to a local pharmacy if you are unwell, ask a friend or family member to pick up scripts or medications, to ensure our pharmacies remain open for everyone in the community.
• If you have access to Skype or What’s App, which are ideal for an online consultation, check it is downloaded and working well.

Related stories:

• Local Events Being Assessed for Coronavirus Risk – March 13, 2020.
• EDITORIAL: It Gets Worse – March 6, 2020.
• EDITORIAL: Questions for Scone’s Stupidest – March 5, 2020.
• EDITORIAL: Handwashing not HAZMAT – January 31, 2020.