Local vaccination numbers climb
2106 doses of Covid vaccines were administered by Bass Coast Health last week.
Bass Coast has responded to the call to be vaccinated, with 2106 doses of Covid vaccines administered by Bass Coast Health between August 30 and September 4. This is on top of the vaccinations administered through local GPs and pharmacies.
Bass Coast Health (BCH) CEO Jan Child thanked the community for an overwhelming response to the calls to be vaccinated against COVID-19. The number of doses was up by 170 from the previous week, when 1936 vaccines were administered.
“Vaccinating our community is one of the best protections we can afford ourselves, our family and our friends from this virus, with the new Delta strain highly contagious,” Ms Child said.
“Vaccination is the long-term way forward to reduce the financial impact on our businesses, the pressure on families and teachers due to remote learning, and the disruption to our community and sporting groups that are unable to meet. It has been so pleasing to see masses of people turning out to the Wonthaggi Town Hall during the week to be vaccinated not only for their own health, but also the health of the community.
“I urge anyone who has not yet been vaccinated to do so now.”
However Ms Child said the increased vaccination rate did not mean people should be complacent about the risk of Covid transmission.
“We are so thrilled that people are actively getting their jab but we also know that people are mistakenly thinking that just because they have received a double jab they won’t transmit the virus. That couldn’t be further from the truth,” she said.
“A jab does not stop you from getting Covid and it certainly doesn’t stop you from spreading it to the people you love. The vaccinations will help prevent people from becoming very unwell and will give themselves maximum protection from the virus.”
She said everyone needed to continue to follow all the public health directives, including wearing a face mask indoors and outdoors, sanitising their hands frequently, practising physical distancing, and most importantly, get tested at the hint of any slight symptom.
Exposure
Wonthaggi Hospital was listed as a Tier 2 exposure site last week, after a contractor tested positive, a timely reminder of how close the Covid threat is.
The Caltex service station at Caldermeade was also listed as a Tier 2 site (see separate story).
Although there was no risk to the community from the Wonthaggi Hospital site, Ms Child said the incident was a “good wakeup call" that COVID-19 could easily “creep out from Melbourne”.
On Monday, a person in Poowong in South Gippsland tested positive to Covid, but no exposure sites were listed as the person tested positive while in quarantine. Positive cases have also been identified in Latrobe City, with three Tier 2 exposure sites listed in Traralgon.
Testing
Last week, 1050 people were tested for Covid, including 267 tests at Cowes, 777 in Wonthaggi and six at BCH run aged care facilities.
“People MUST get tested as soon as they show any symptoms, such as a sore throat, fever or a runny nose. This helps us understand where the virus is and helps us contain it quickly,” Ms Child said.
The Cowes drive through Clinic at the Transit Centre currently operates from 9am – 3pm every day. The Wonthaggi drive through clinic operates from 9am – 5pm every day.
Vaccination clinic
The Community Vaccination Clinic at the Wonthaggi Town Hall is currently open on weekdays:
- Monday 9am-4pm
- Tuesday 9am – 8pm
- Wednesday 9am – 6pm
- Thursday 9am – 8pm
- Friday 9am – 4pm
Bookings must be made for all Pfizer appointments by calling the Coronavirus Hotline on 1800 675 398 or online at portal.cvms.vic.gov.au.
Only healthcare workers, disability workers and aged care workers can walk in without an appointment for Pfizer. People over 60 also can walk in for their AstraZeneca without an appointment.
The recommended timing between the first and second dose of AstraZeneca has been changed and you can now receive your second dose six weeks after the first.
To find out if you are eligible for a vaccine, go to www.health.gov.au/resources/apps-and-tools/covid-19-vaccine-eligibility-checker
