Forgot Password

Sign In

Register

  • Company Information

  • Billing Address

  • Are you primarily interested in advertising *

  • Do you want to recieve the HealthTimes Newsletter?

  • Rapid response squads to hit Victoria

    Author: AAP

New rapid response teams will be on hand to prevent any new outbreaks of coronavirus in Victoria as the state government moves to ease restrictions.

Rapid response squads will be established to respond to any new outbreaks of coronavirus as part of a $20 million boost to Victoria's fight against infection as the state government implements its first moves to ease restrictions.

Subscribe for FREE to the HealthTimes magazine



The new teams will prevent, respond to and limit outbreaks as part of a major surveillance boost announced on Monday.

Victoria's state of emergency has ended, with the state government expected to outline a plan to slowly lift coronavirus restrictions this week.

Health Minister Jenny Mikakos says the funding will support a range of measures that will continue beyond the recent testing blitz, in which 161,000 Victorians have been tested over the past two weeks.

FEATURED JOBS

Business Unit Manager | Healthcare
Frontline Health Melbourne
Territory Manager | Aesthetics
Frontline Health Melbourne
Emergency Medicine SMO
Omega Medical Pty Ltd
Emergency Senior
Omega Medical Pty Ltd


Testing will continue for Victorians with even the mildest of symptoms over the next month, with a target of a further 50,000 tests to be conducted over the next week, and 150,000 tests by the end of May.

"As we ease restrictions, there will be further positive coronavirus cases, and possible outbreaks. To limit these cases and keep Victorians safe, the Government has outlined its plan for a new 'outbreak unit' within the Department of Health and Human Services' public health team," Ms Mikakos said in a statement.

The state recorded an additional 10 coronavirus cases on Sunday, bringing Victoria's total to 1487.

One of the new cases is related to an outbreak at Cedar Meats in Melbourne's west, taking the total number of cases related to the abattoir to 76.

The new rapid response unit will include squads staffed by public health specialists and clinicians to ensure appropriate testing, contact tracing and deep cleaning is carried out as soon as a cluster is identified.

"The squads will also make proactive visits to high risk facilities, businesses and industries, and work with local services on infection control and prevention, while also stepping in to quickly manage any high-risk cases should they occur," Ms Mikakos said.

In addition, mobile testing units will continue to operate and will be deployed to communities that show a spike in cases.

The funding will also include $8 million for research institutes, while testing at sewage plants to track the virus in the community and provide early signposts of localised outbreaks.

The funding is on top of a $37 million spend in March.

Comments

Thanks, you've subscribed!

Share this free subscription offer with your friends

Email to a Friend


  • Remaining Characters: 500