FRONTLINE health care professionals have congratulated Limestone Coast residents to quickly adapting to self-isolation and social restriction measures to curb the spread of COVID-19.
The praise comes as the region enters its seventh week of coronavirus preventative measures, including minimising public activity, restricting non-essential travel and adhering to good personal hygiene practices.
Penola Health Service acting director of nursing and midwifery Pam Schubert said community members had readily adopted actions to slow the spread of the disease.
“COVID-19 has made big changes across the Limestone Coast and here in Penola,” she said.
“As everyone comes into the facility we take their temperature, which also includes our staff and have screening questions.
“The emergency department has also closed and it is a change for the community but they have responded really well and have been very respectful of the request.
“If someone presents a dire emergency in Penola then staff will certainly assess and we will look at where we can send them.”
Ms Schubert said visitor restrictions, which restrict patients to one visitor each day for a timed block, had been observed by community members.
“These changes are because we have an aged care facility in close proximity,” she said.
“Those people are at risk and it is very important to protect them but it is also a part of the Federal Government’s direct recommendations.”
Ms Schubert commended staff for rapidly adapting to workplace changes.
“In our case we had always been aware of hand hygiene but it is also about ensuring staff are now wearing personal protective equipment and that it is also used appropriately,” she said.
“We are finding our staff to be very responsible and respectful of that aspect and they certainly are doing the right thing.”
With preparations for flu season currently under way, Ms Schubert said staff had completed their flu vaccination to safeguard patients and workers.
“What this does is reduce the viral load in the community and makes it safer for everyone,” she said.
“We are encouraging members of the community to seriously consider having the flu vaccine this year because it will help make people in a better state of health for the winter ahead of us.”
Ms Schubert said the community had rallied together to protect the vulnerable during the pandemic.
“In moments like these people really seem to pull together as a team and they do the right thing,” she said.
“The community has also responded really well and you only need to go down the main street of Penola to see that.
“They should be very proud of the effort they are putting into protecting each other and it just bears testimony to how community minded residents here are and how respectful they are”.
