Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP | Greens Health spokesperson
The Premier’s decision to ease restrictions for the North West will be welcome news for residents in the region, but the community must be given further information to reassure them about this decision.
We understand all decisions relating to management of the COVID-19 outbreak have been undertaken on the basis of the advice of Public Health, and that winding back the stricter restrictions has not been done lightly.
The North West community, however, would undoubtedly feel more confident if a further explanation was provided about how the outbreak is now classified as 'under control' while cases are still being reported.
The Director of Public Health also today indicated he was 'confident' we would see more cases associated with the cluster in Smithton.
The Emergency Department at the North West Regional Hospital has now reopened, and is operating as a “hot” ward. All patients are presumed to be coronavirus-infectious, and staff are required to take appropriate maximum precautions.
Until the Director of Public Health declares the COVID-19 outbreak to be resolved in the North West, it would be prudent for the whole of the NWRH to be considered a COVID-19 hot facility.
The developing cluster in Smithton and this morning's confirmation of a new coronavirus case at the Mersey Hospital are reminders we must remain extremely vigilant in our efforts to combat this virus.