Public must be informed

EACH day brings more restrictions to our way of life as the extent of COVID-19 intensifies.

We must face reality that we Far Northerners will have a full lockdown as well as the rest of Australia before long.

It will mean remaining at home at all times for most residents except to buy essential items such as food and medicines, take the dog for a walk and exercise such as walking.

In the meantime there are some Far Northern initiatives being implemented to try to restrict the spread of coronavirus.

It has stepped up a level with the Stratford Medical Centre opening an outdoor triage on its doorstep.

Patients can now be checked for fever before entering the surgery or receiving treatment in a tent set up on the footpath if they display signs of cold and flu.

The clinic also intends to use Skype, Zoom and Facebook to consult with patients.

It makes patients feel safer. If they have to attend the clinic it keeps the risk down.

Potential COVID-19 cases could be seen by doctors without leaving their cars and then sent home to isolate and their files and lab referrals already emailed to them. The outdoor triage comes as the region’s confirmed cases stand at seven.

As well, the medical profession, like the media and the public, is also raising concerns about the lack of information about COVID-19 cases and about contact tracing.

Dr Aileen Traves says it is all being controlled by Brisbane. Cairns and Hinterland Health Service have been ordered not to release any information, leaving the public in the dark about the number of cases as well as those being isolated.

It’s not good enough.