Shepp response lauded
HEALTH MINISTER DESCRIBES SHEPPARTON AS A MODEL COMMUNITY IN FIGHTING OUTBREAK
Shepparton has been hailed as a model community for battling outbreaks of COVID-19.
In 2020, and again with the Delta variant currently in the community, the response of residents to isolate, get tested and limit social contact has contained and controlled the spread.
While an additional 13 cases were confirmed in Shepparton yesterday, Victorian Health Minister Martin Foley said they were ‘‘sadly not unexpected’’.
More cases are likely to emerge from a flood of day 13 tests but the good news is that any positive cases will have already been in isolation, preventing further community transmission.
Asked if Shepparton was a case model for how to deal with coronavirus outbreaks in regional Victoria, Mr Foley said it was clearly a successful approach.
‘‘Shepparton as a diverse, strong multicultural community with strong social links and connections has shown itself to be a bit of a model in how it goes about these things,’’ he said.
‘‘All outbreaks are a learning experience but from a regional communities point of view, what happened two months ago in Mildura and what is happening now in Shepparton are models of what community responses can achieve.’’
Deputy chief health officer Benjamin Cowie said there was no ongoing high rate of transmission in regional Victoria which was an ‘‘incredible achievement’’.
‘‘There has been no identified onward transmission that we are aware of from the exposures at Echuca and Traralgon and the 13 cases in Greater Shepparton are the results of day 13 testing,’’ he said.
‘‘The Shepparton community do continue to do the hard yards of isolating and the arrival of day 13 testing is great news for many of them.’’
Victoria’s chief psychiatrist Neil Coventry urged parents to talk to their children about the impacts of isolation, lockdowns, home schooling and loss of freedoms.
‘‘We need to be talking to our kids about how they are coping, please have the conversations.’’
Dr Coventry said feeling stressed, anxious and uncertain about the future was a normal reaction to an abnormal situation and most people had the resources to cope.
He urged Victorians to reach out to those who appeared to be struggling and encourage them to seek help.
‘‘There is help available,’’ Dr Coventry said.
If you or anyone you know needs help contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Kids Helpline on
1800 551 800.