Crookwell and Taralga's aged care facilities have gone into voluntary lockdown while medical practices are advising sick patients seeking appoinments to call ahead of visiting in a bid to slow the spread of coronavirus.
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While there were no confirmed cases of coronavirus in the Southern NSW Local Health District as of Tuesday, Goulburn Capital Pathology confirmed Gunning and Crookwell residents have been tested and the wait time for results was four days.
Crookwell and Taralga Aged Care CEO Jo Boyce said while Viewhaven Lodge and Sunset Lodge were in lockdown they had no known cases of coronavirus or anyone with symptoms.
"We have made this difficult decision in order to ensure the safety and well-being of our vulnerable residents," she said.
"We hope that within 14 days there will be more information about the virus or that it has slowed down and we can review our position at that time."
Only essential personnel under supervision of staff and following strict infection control guidelines will be allowed into Viewhaven and Sunset Lodge during the lockdown, Ms Boyce said.
She said they also had measures in place for when people become unwell.
"I'm sure everyone appreciates the vulnerable position that our residents are in at this point in time and we have not made this decision lightly."
Call ahead for appointments at medical practices
Medical practices in Gunning, Crookwell and Taralga are asking sick patients seeking an appointment to call ahead of visiting.
Dr Thangavelu in Crookwell will test people in their car outside the practice if they have a fever and think they have been in contact with coronavirus.
He said he recently tested a mother who had been in contact with her daughter who had been in contact with a positive case of coronavirus.
"If you are coughing or experiencing flu-like symptoms, please stay at home. Call the surgery for advice or ring Health Direct on 1800 022 222," he said.
"If you have a fever and think you may have been in contact with the coronavirus, please do not enter the surgery, but phone for advice on 4832 1006 and wait in your car. Dr Velu will come and see you there. Please do not go to the hospital."
The Health Care Centre's practical principal Dr Johanna Kovats said patients will be asked a series of questions over the phone to determine if they are at risk of having coronavirus.
If they are, a nurse or doctor will provide further instructions.
Those who do arrive at the centre will be categorised into three groups depending on their risk of having coronavirus.
Those who are high risk will be isolated in a red zone and seen by a doctor in protective clothing.
Patients who are unwell with new respiratory symptoms but who haven't been overseas nor come into contact with a confirmed case may not need to be seen, Dr Kovats said.
"If mildly unwell, some patients can manage themselves at home and do not need to see a GP. If they do attend, they will be given a mask and asked to wait in the orange zone and will be seen by the doctor or nurse."
Patients who have no new respiratory symptoms and have not been overseas nor had contact with a confirmed case will be asked to wait in the green zone.
Because of a shortage of doctors in regional areas, there may be times during the pandemic when patients won't be able to see their doctor of choice, Dr Kovats said.
"Our aim is to protect staff, patients and our community during this pandemic," Dr Kovats said.
"To reduce your risk of being infected, maintain personal hygiene: wash hands using soap and water or sanitiser if not practical several times per day, don't touch your face and begin social distancing, standing away from others at about 1.5 metres."
Similarly, Thrive Medical Practice in Taralga is advising anyone who recently returned from overseas and was making or attending an appointment because they felt unwell to call first.
People can also complete the questionnaire on Thrive's website if they are concerned they have symptoms.
Dedicated shopping hour for elderly
Crookwell IGA will trial a dedicated hour of shopping for over 65s between 7-8am on Wednesday, March 18 and Friday, March 20. Carers are also permitted.
"This is to make elderly shoppers feel safer, more comfortable and provide an environment where there's no rush," co-owner Floyd Davies said.
People who think they could also benefit from the dedicated hour, such as those with a disability or underlying illness, are advised to call the supermarket.
The store has increased its hygiene procedures including introducing hand sanitiser pump stations at the entrances and inside and ordered extra deliveries.
Staff would be unpacking overnight on Tuesday to ensure shelves were full for the next day, Mr Davies said.
However and like other supermarkets, Crookwell IGA is struggling to fill shelves with toilet paper, sanitary products and hand sanitiser.
Schools introduce social distancing measures
For parents wondering whether to keep sending their children to school, this week the NSW Department of Education introduced social distancing measures on Monday that ban assemblies, excursions, travel, some events and conferences.
The department's secretary Mark Scott said they were precautionary measures and designed to reduce exposure at non-essential gatherings.
"The community expects schools to be as safe as possible. We are implementing these measures to provide peace of mind for students, parents and staff."
All major arts, sports and initiative activities and events will also be ceased until further notice. That includes whole school sporting events and inter-school events involving three or more schools.
Useful links for families and students in self-isolation can be found here: https://education.nsw.gov.au/
Changes to local events
- Southern Tablelands Flock Ewe Championship (March 20) - going ahead but organisers are requesting limited numbers of the public attend
- Gunning District Association's Community Groups Workshop (March 21) - postponed
- Crookwell Historical Society old fashioned town picnic (March 20) - cancelled
- Dame Mary Gilmore Footbridge official opening (March 20) - cancelled
- Laggan Pub Car Show (March 21) - postponed
- Laggan Markets (March 21) - cancelled
- Anglican Women's Afternoon Tea (March 27) - cancelled
- Gunning Rural Fire Brigade Trivia Night (April 4) - postponed
- Bigga Easter markets (April 11) - cancelled
- ANZAC Day commemorations in Crookwell, Gunning and Breadalbane (April 25) - cancelled
- Collector Pumpkin Festival (May 3) - cancelled
- Crookwell Potato Festival (May 9) - cancelled
- Upper Lachlan Shire Council meetings - going ahead without a public gallery. Instead, anyone can view a live stream webcast of the meeting on the council's website.