Daily COVID-19 reporting across NSW, and the Western NSW Local Health District (WNSWLHD) specifically, has been a staple for the community - but the time has come from that to change.
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From today, Monday January 24, the daily COVID-19 update provided by WNSWLHD will begin to focus less on daily number of new cases identified, and more on the impact on health facilities and frontline staff.
It will also provide infomation on vaccination rates, including booster shots.
Mark Spittal, WNSWLHD CEO, said it was important for the organisation to move past the number of new cases and towards what the impact of COVID actually is on the Central West.
"Changes will be made progressively over the coming weeks as we move forward through the pandemic, to focus on the most practical and important messages for the community," he said.
"We want to show the daily impact COVID-19 is having on our staff and hospitals, as well as focus on the uptake of vaccines in the 5 to 11-year-old age bracket and booster shots - we know these figures are important to our communities.
"The number of new cases identified really just reflect on what is happening in the laboratory process.
"In previous phases of the pandemic they were useful but now the Omicron variant is in most of our communities, they are not the best indicator of risk anymore.
"We have been reporting the number of known cases identified across the District but with such good vaccination coverage, it's incredibly likely there are many undiagnosed cases of COVID-19 in our communities," said Mr Spittal.
Mr Spittal said information on COVID cases will still be available on the WNSWLHD website.
"Put simply, COVID-19 is everywhere and that's why we have consistently been encouraging everyone to take sensible precautions all the time, rather than using the number of new cases identified on any given day as a catalyst to be COVID-safe," he explained.
"The number of new cases identified each day, both by PCR and RAT, will continue to be readily available on the NSW Health website and the Service NSW app.
"They will be broken down to specific areas and we will continue to link to those sources, so that information is easily accessible," said Mr Spittal.
Mr Spittal said moving forward it was crucial for those in the district to do everything they can to protect against COVID - not just for themselves, but the health and safety of everyone across the Central West.
"We need to focus on the number of people in hospital across the District because it shows not just the impact of COVID-19 on health services, but also the consequence of not being COVID-safe," he said.
"Regardless of why people are in hospital, if they have COVID-19 their care requires significantly more resource and the wider impact of COVID-19 can place services under pressure.
"The impact on people who need non-urgent elective surgery is absolutely real and we are determined to get surgery back to being fully operational as soon as the need for capacity for COVID-19 care subsides.
"The individuals aren't to blame, no one who is sensible intentionally catches COVID-19.
"But the reality is, the more we do as individuals and as a community to stay COVD-safe the more we'll help reduce the impact on health services, which means those services can cope better and resume normal activity quicker.
"We need our health services and workforce there for everyone, not just COVID-19 patients.
"That's particularly relevant as summer ends and enter colder months, when we typically have an upswing in demand," said Mr Spittal.
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Mr Spittal is urging the community to not only continue remaining vigilant and using COVID-safe measures - but to think and plan ahead, so if the worst happened - they would be prepared.
"The best way for our communities to help is to get vaccinated as soon as possible, gets the kids vaccinated now they are eligible, and get your booster shot as soon as you can.
"Remember, the vast majority of people who have COVID-19 can safely manage at home so have a 'Plan C' prepared if you, or someone in your household needs to isolate.
"That includes knowing how to manage your symptoms.
"Continue practicing all the COVID-safe measures we have become so familiar with - checking in using QR codes, wearing masks wherever required, practising good hygiene and staying home if you are unwell," said Mr Spittal.
More information and resources:
- COVID-19 information: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/infectious/covid-19/pages/default.aspx
- People exposed to COVID-19: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/covid-19/Pages/self-isolation-and-testing.aspx
- Testing positive and managing COVID-19 at home: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/factsheets/Pages/advice-for-confirmed.aspx
- Isolation guidelines and support: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/factsheets/Pages/self-isolation-covid-and-close.aspx
- Caring for yourself with your GP: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/covid-19/Pages/caring-for-yourself.aspx
- Support for children with COVID-19: https://www.schn.health.nsw.gov.au/fact-sheets/covid-19-in-children
- How to prepare your 'Plan C': https://wnswlhd.health.nsw.gov.au/Documents/Plan%20C%20info%20pack%20V2_5%20January%2022.pdf
- COVID-19 vaccination and to book an appointment: https://wnswlhd.health.nsw.gov.au/covid-19-information/covid-19-vaccination
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