Praise for Colac Otway’s health services and staff
Published on 07 September 2020
Colac Otway Shire Council has praised the work of local health services and urged the community to be patient and supportive as increased COVID19 testing operations are planned for the week ahead.
Colac Otway Chief Executive Peter Brown said he thanked Colac Area Health and Great Ocean Road Health for their tireless work and proactive testing to stop the spread of COVID19 across the shire.
“Council is supporting our health services with establishing dedicated testing sites in Apollo Bay and at Colac Central Reserve to accommodate an expected increase in testing,” Mr Brown said.
“COVID19 testing is vital for anyone with even the mildest of symptoms to identify positive cases and stop the spread of the COVID19 virus in our shire.
“This is a difficult time for the whole community, particularly our health providers and health workers who have already been under unprecedented pressure with delivering day-to-day health services and dealing with management of this pandemic.
“Resources across all agencies are already stretched and I urge residents to be compassionate and understanding when they call to register and attend testing sites.
“This is the time for our shire residents to be kind to anyone who is isolating and support each other, just as our health workers do every day to keep our community as safe as possible,” he said.
“There are support measures in place, including access to food and essential supplies, for residents who must isolate as soon as they are tested until they receive their results and ongoing support for anyone who tests positive and is required to quarantine.”
Call Council’s COVID19 Support Hotline on 52329440 if you need food or essential supplies while in quarantine or if you’re self-isolating, seven days a week, 8.30am to 5pm.
To find out what government payments are available while you are waiting for test results or need to isolate or quarantine visit www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/covid-19-worker-support-payment