Fear factor
COVID-19 FRIGHT KEEPS POTENTIAL VIRUS CARRIERS AWAY
FEAR of contracting COVID-19 is keeping people from presenting themselves early to health facilities when they develop symptoms, says Health Ministry Head of Wellness Dr Devina Nand.
She said because of this, people needed to use the 165 helpline to access COVID patient care and ambulance service’s emergency retrieval. Health Ministry permanent secretary Dr James Fong said vaccination was key to reducing hospitalisation – a view shared by Australian Medical Assistance Team (AUSMAT) mission leader Dr Brian Spain.
PEOPLE are hesitant to present themselves or loved ones early to health clinics out of the fear of contracting COVID-19, says Health Ministry head of wellness Dr Devina Nand.
She said it was therefore advisable for individuals to take advantage of the 165 helpline.
“There is hesitancy about bringing patients to clinics because a lot of people are worried about getting COVID, but what I would urge the public to do is use the 165 line if you have any issues,” she said.
Dr Nand said the helpline had 10 extensions and was put in place to provide better accessibility to services.
“These lines are not for results, and people need to realise that there will only be two lines that will be available 24 hours –– one is for COVID patient care and the other is for ambulance services emergency retrieval.
“Dr Nand said in terms of the seriousness of the disease, people needed to recognise that their family members were sick and they needed to seek medical attention early.
“If you are having any symptoms of COVID, you need to get swabbed and get your results.”
Dr Nand said the biggest worry for the ministry at present was people who were COVID-19 positive and roaming around spreading the disease.
“It is every individual’s responsibility to control this and if we can self-isolate and stop it spreading from others then we’ve done this country justice,” she said.