News Letter from the Chief Medical Officer regarding Coronavirus (COVID-19) This letter is from the Chief Medical Officer to aged care providers. It’s on the COVID-19 outbreak and outlines the Australian Government’s current and future support for the central role aged care providers play in our national response. Read more.. Government of Australia Department of Health Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC) coronavirus (COVID-19) statement on 11 March 2020 The Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC), on the advice of the Communicable Disease Network Australia (CDNA), continues to monitor the effectiveness of current travel restrictions and self-quarantine procedures for travellers coming from mainland China, Iran, South Korea and Italy. COVID-19 continues to spread globally with a growing number of countries experiencing sustained community based transmission and outbreaks. The travel restrictions and self-quarantine measures implemented by the Australian Government have been successful in reducing the number of cases detected in Australia and delaying the onset of community transmission. Read more.. Government of Australia Department of Health Release of Australian Health Sector Emergency Response Plan For Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) The Australian Health Sector Emergency Response Plan for Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) includes: an overview of the national approach operational plan Read the Taken from Australian Health Sector Emergency Response Plan for Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19 Source taken from Australian Government Department of Health New framework to support kids in residential care The ‘Framework to reduce criminalisation of young people in residential care’ will be implemented to drive improved outcomes for young people in care. This new multi-agency approach will work to reduce contact of young people in residential care with the criminal justice system. Young people in residential care have experienced abuse and neglect and the impact of this trauma often means they are more likely than their peers to present with risk-taking behaviours such as self-harm, aggression, substance abuse and other activities that place them at high risk of contact with police and the youth justice system. Read more.. DHHS.vic Novel coronavirus: updated advice As of 1 February 2020, health advice has been updated for Victorians after recent announcements from the Australian government. The updated advice to the public, health services and general practitioners is: As of 1 February 2020, the case definition for a person suspected to have contracted novel coronavirus has been expanded. Any person who has an acute respiratory infection and has been in mainland China or has had close contact with a confirmed case of novel coronavirus in the 14 days prior to onset of illness should be tested for the infection. Read more.. DHHS.vic
