SUNRAYSIA has recorded a stunning increase in COVID-19 vaccinations in the face of the current outbreak – hitting 94 per cent for first doses – as Melbourne's lockdown and statewide restrictions are poised to ease, but we've been warned that complacency could bring these successes undone.
Mildura Base Public Hospital is still being confronted with unvaccinated people turning up to the emergency department with serious symptoms and the risk of community transmission remains high.
Hospital chief executive Terry Welch told Sunraysia Daily that "the next few days will tell a real story".
Mildura recorded 12 new COVID cases overnight Saturday and a total of 28 for the weekend, while regular and pop-up vaccination clinics have been extremely busy, with 726 jabs administered on Saturday alone.
The LGA's initial seven-day lockdown was extended for another week on Friday, meaning at this stage that Mildura will reopen a day later than the rest of the state, although dates are under constant review.
Melbourne will come out of lockdown at 11.59pm on Thursday, the same time restrictions will ease significantly across the state.
Mildura's vaccination rate on Sunday stood at 94 per cent for first doses and 60.8 per cent for full vaccinations after a public rush triggered by the current outbreak and resultant lockdown, as well as a State Government mandate for workers to be vaccinated.
Mr Welch said the public response had been tremendous, but feared success could lead to complacency in the midst of an outbreak that was not yet under control.
"Let's not relax yet," he said. "In fact, please don't relax.
"I would not say we are winning yet. We maybe just have our nose in front."
Mr Welch said the hospital was coping with case loads and was able to treat 150 COVID patients in their own homes, but a small part of the population continued to go unvaccinated and it was these people who were presenting with serious illness.
Mildura had 214 active cases after the weekend's reports.
"If you know any of these (unvaccinated) people, please encourage them to get tested or help them to get tested," he said.
People presenting with advanced symptoms were also putting hospital staff at risk, Mr Welch said.
Sixty staff were previously forced to isolate after coming into contact with a positive case, but none have tested positive and the workforce is almost at full strength again.
The hospital has introduced a rapid daily saliva test for staff as they arrive for work to quickly identify potential infections. Staff also undergo full COVID tests regularly.
Victoria, meanwhile, will this week take steps towards reopening early after hitting a 70 per cent double vaccination rate, but there was no indication that Mildura's extended lockdown will be shortened.
Premier Daniel Andrews announced on Sunday that the vaccination effort meant most restrictions could be lifted from 11.59pm on Thursday, a day before the Mildura lockdown is scheduled to end.
In Melbourne, 10 visitors will be allowed in private homes, outdoor hospitality venues will be able to have 100 vaccinated patrons and 20 unvaccinated patrons, and indoor hospitality, cinemas and gyms will be able to host 30 vaccinated people and 20 unvaccinated people, subject to density limits. Melbourne’s curfew will also be lifted, but mask rules will remain unchanged.
In regional Victoria, 10 visitors will be allowed in private homes, 20 can gather in public, outdoor hospitality can have 100 patrons, and indoor hospitality spaces, cinemas and gyms will be able to host up to 30 people. Regional schools – with the exception of Mildura – can return to full-time, on-site classes on Thursday.
Victoria recorded 1838 new COVID cases overnight on Saturday, and seven deaths. There were 727 people in hospital. Ninety per cent of hospital cases, including 97 per cent of those in intensive care, were unvaccinated, according to Mr Andrews. There were 73,000 COVID tests across Victoria on Saturday.
On the NSW side of Sunraysia, the Wentworth LGA had 25 cases as of Saturday night. Figures for yesterday were not available.
