By Laura Michell
Northern Health says it has contingency plans in place to ensure it can continue to provide “safe care” to the community in the event of a local coronavirus outbreak.
Northern Health chief medical officer, Dr John Ferguson confirmed there had been no cases of COVID-19 identified at the health service, which operates the Northern and Broadmeadows hospitals and the Bundoora and Craigieburn centres.
“Patients with symptoms have been tested with results clear for coronavirus,” he said.
“Northern Health has established an active working group and is closely monitoring the situation and providing regular updates for staff and the community.”
A coronavirus update on Northern Health’s website advises anyone who is concerned they are at risk of carrying the virus due to recent travel to contact the Department of Health and Human Services’ coronavirus hotline on 1800 675 398 before attending the emergency department or health service appointment.
Last week, a Craigieburn resident took to Facebook to urge the community to phone ahead to GP clinics if they suspect they have the virus.
The resident said that during a visit to a Craigieburn GP clinic on March 4, she was advised not to sit on one side of the clinic as there was a patient who potentially had the virus.
In the Facebook post, the resident said a doctor told her to call the clinic before attending if she showed any symptoms of coronavirus in the coming weeks.
“I’m writing to let others know to not go into a doctors’ clinic, instead call,” the post said.
It comes as an Altona North GP, who is the former Australian Medical Association president and World Medical Association chair, warned GPs are not equipped to deal with a potential outbreak of coronavirus.
Dr Mukesh Haikerwal said GPs had received no advice on what to do if they have a patient with the virus.
He called for ‘sentinel practices’ – that is practices that are “prepared with gear and people and training” – to be set up to take the load off GP clinics.
According to the federal Department of Health, there were 52 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Australia as of March 5, 10 of which are in Victoria.
