SPIKE IN FLU CASES

FLU cases are surging with respiratory illnesses expected to put further strain on our health system.

Health Department data showed so far this year Greater Geelong had recorded 262 confirmed influenza cases, more than the annual totals for 2021 (five cases) and 2020 (152).

Barwon South West public health unit director Eugene Athan said respiratory-related emergency department presentations for influenza and Covid were rising.

“Our staff are working hard to continue to meet the needs of the community,” Professor Athan said. “However, there are ways we can all work together as a community to preserve our health service for the sickest people.

“We expect the increase in respiratory illness to continue for several more months, at least, so it is important that we are all kind.”

He urged people to get vaccinated.

Prof Athan said some people who attended the emergency department could be treated by a GP or at the urgent care centre at Barwon Health North, or people with an illness or injury that was not an emergency could phone nurse-on-call for advice.

Western Victoria Primary Health Network clinical spokeswoman Anne Stephenson said over the past two years there were much lower numbers of influenza cases due to the public health measures, meaning higher numbers of respiratory infections were anticipated this winter.

Dr Stephenson said influenza and Covid had very similar symptoms and people could be infected with both at the same time.

“Anyone with symptoms such as fever, cough and coldlike symptoms should test themselves at home with a rapid antigen test over a few days as the first tests can be negative,” she said.

“To make a formal flu diagnosis, a PCR test is required.

“This can be done through your GP. It is important to do a rapid antigen test at home before you visit your GP if you have symptoms of either influenza or Covid-19.”

Dr Stephenson said most GP clinics were seeing people with cold-like symptoms, but assessing over the telephone and seeing them outside in their car.

Victorian Ambulance Union secretary Danny Hill said members were burnt out due to enormous demand.

“With flu season ... that demand is only going to escalate,” Mr Hill said.

“So much of the current demand is generated by nonemergency cases including coughs, colds, and flu.

“It is vitally important that people look for alternatives and save triple-0 for actual emergencies.”

On Wednesday 571 new Covid cases were reported for Greater Geelong, 95 for the Surf Coast, three for the Borough of Queenscliffe, 55 for Golden Plains and 36 for Colac-Otway. Victoria had 13,973 new cases and 17 deaths. There were 31 Covid patients in Geelong hospital, one in ICU.