THE 2022 flu season is adding to staffing and service difficulties across the Mornington Peninsula.
Peninsula Health medical services and clinical governance executive director Associate Professor Shyaman Menon said Peninsula Health, like many health services in Victoria, was experiencing an increase in demand due to the current increase in COVID-19 and influenza cases across the state.
“We are being agile across our all services to meet this demand and ensure we are continuing to provide the best care for our community,” he said.
“Even with protective vaccinations, COVID-19 is still a serious illness for so many people, especially those who are older or immunocompromised.”
Menon encouraged those who tested positive to a COVID-19 rapid antigen test (RAT) to register their results with the Department of Health, as they may get some support if it met clinical eligibility criteria.
Positive RAT results should be reported to: coronavirus.vic.gov.au/report-your-rapid-antigen-test-result
Menon said people could help protect themselves and reduce their risk of needing to visit hospital by keeping up-to-date with their COVID-19 and flu vaccinations, practicing good hand hygiene, wearing a mask in crowded areas and maintaining a safe distance between themselves and other people.
“There are many respiratory viruses circulating in the community at the moment, not just COVID-19 and influenza, so we really encourage everyone to do what they can to protect themselves, their loved ones and our community,” he said.
First published in the Southern Peninsula News – 19 July 2022
