MILDURA residents have been urged to “do all the right things” over the Christmas period to prevent COVID-19 cases from skyrocketing.
Mildura recorded 24 new cases on Tuesday, bringing its number of active cases to 78, as Australia’s national daily infections surpassed 4500.
Mildura Base Public Hospital director of intensive care Dr Alison Walker admitted cases were “grumbling along” in Mildura.
“Christmas is obviously a time we like to hang out and be social, but people just need to be on guard so that this relatively small number of cases doesn’t become a big number,” she said.
“We have had a steady trickle of cases, it’s sort of grumbling along. From our perspective, less is obviously better, none would be fabulous, but we have contingency plans and escalation plans with the configuration of the hospital if we get more cases.
“But with the high vaccination rates, we’re hoping people even if they catch it have a mild illness which doesn’t need them to be admitted to hospital.”
Premiers want Australia’s COVID-19 booster program to be speeded up as pressure mounts on states to agree to uniform pandemic restrictions to curb surging Omicron infections.
But Prime Minister Scott Morrison insists the time for the “heavy hand of government” has passed.
More than 1.3 million Australians have received a booster shot. The double-dose vaccination rate for people aged 16 and older is sitting around 90.5 per cent.
Dr Walker said while the pandemic had been a “long haul” for people, it was important to remain vigilant.
“I understand the frustration but we are not through it yet, unfortunately,” she said.
“If you are going to be meet people at Christmas, it is the same message as always. If you are not well, stay home and please go and get tested.
“Practice high hygiene, meet outdoors and maintain social distancing if you can.”
Dr Walker said while it had been a long year for staff at the Base Hospital, she said spirits remained high.
“I would say the staff at the Base have been amazing in their flexibility and positivity in a world of change for everyone,” she said.
“The rules change all the time about what we can and can’t do and there are even more rules in the hospital. But everyone has just had a great attitude and been flexible and there is a good atmosphere at the hospital.”
