As New South Wales residents relax and consider travel for the holidays, Health authorities continue to warn of the ongoing risk of COVID-19 transmission.
We’ve worked with the NSW Government to bring you this information.
Has there been a silly season in living memory that you’ve ever so badly wanted to just be in one room with all your family and friends? Hug them, kiss their faces, talk closely over a bottle of something fizzy – all the things we haven’t been able to do since last summer. All the things we absolutely should continue to not do.
While Australia has had some incredible wins against COVID-19 transmission in the past months, thanks to heroic community efforts and strong contact-tracing systems, the virus continues to rage around the world.
Speaking to The Daily Telegraph, NSW Health Executive Director COVID-19 response, Dr Michelle Cretikos, said that while COVID-19 case numbers are currently low, we’re not by any means free and clear, and that there remains the risk of undetected transmission of the highly infectious respiratory virus.
“There could still be cases out there,” she said, pointing to instances of mystery unlinked cases in and around Sydney last month. We want everybody in the community to continue to practice COVID safe measures – it gives us the best chance of preventing an upswing in cases and making sure NSW stays open.”
So while we all want badly to unwind from the various lockdowns and restrictions, NSW medical experts want people to understand that the best thing you can give your family – and entire community – this year is COVID safety.
WHAT THIS MEANS DAY TO DAY
While it goes against much of what we’ve been raised as “polite”, there’s no denying physical distancing is what’s given us our country back. Asking for more distance between tables at your local cafe, making it clear you don’t feel comfortable having that person sit next to you on the train – or have them roll out their towel so close at the beach – has to become normal practice until we have a vaccine.
What once seemed rude, avoiding hugs from acquaintances, opting out of a big birthday, is now a quiet form of consideration.
Things like, downloading the Service NSW app to make checking in to venues more efficient, taking a COVID safe travel kit with hand sanitiser, antibacterial wipes, a clean face mask in a zip-lock bag, tissues wherever you go, or just staying home and getting tested at even the slightest scratchy throat, may have seemed paranoid in the ‘before-times’ but they’re the most important things you can do for your community in 2020.
In the lead-up to, and throughout the holiday season, Dr Cretikos explained that it’s so important people plan ahead by booking activities and venues when you can, keep an eye on health alerts about different locations, and make the most of the warmer weather and the outdoors for their holidays and social events.
“We know outdoors is safer than indoor venues,” she said. “It’s possible to find lots of lovely outdoor venues. Nice wide-open spaces that allow people to gather in a safe way.” Dr Cretikos said it was critical to keep testing rates high as people moved around the State and socialised on holidays. “In some cases, people have been in contact with positive cases without knowing, they were exposed in a public setting such as a pub or club or gym,” she said.
“It’s really important for people to be aware of the public health alerts. Following NSW Health on Facebook or regularly checking nsw.gov.au is just one-way people can be aware that the location they visited has had a confirmed case of COVID-19.”
ARE YOU SURE YOU KNOW THE SYMPTOMS?
People experience a whole range of symptoms of COVID-19 – from none at all to severe complications. COVID-19 symptoms can include fever, cough, sore/scratchy throat, shortness of breath, runny nose, loss of taste and loss of smell, fatigue, muscle pain, joint pain, headache, diarrhoea, nausea/vomiting, loss of appetite, unexplained chest pain and conjunctivitis.
Dr Cretikos said any symptoms should be checked and tested the same day, no matter how mild. “The first thing is to go and get tested immediately, even if you’re away on holidays. It is recommended to self-isolate and wear a mask until you can get tested and stay home until you get a negative test result,” she said. There are more than 300 COVID-19 testing clinics around NSW. Locations and opening hours can be found online.
She said people still have to isolate themselves at home or at their accommodation until they can be tested and get their results back. This means not going anywhere – not even work or the supermarket. But remember, most people in NSW get their test results back in 24 hours.”
As a nation we’ve done exceptionally well at working together to protect our community, but we’ve still lost over nine hundred people to the virus this year – each of whom had parents or brothers and sisters, friends and partners and children. If following a few simple guidelines will keep your loved ones safe this holiday season, what could be a more important gift?
