Covid-19 Patients Attend Two Stores in Port Stephens, New Testing Clinic To Open at Tomaree

BY ISABEL EVERETT

Three contacts of a 60-year-old man who tested positive to Covid-19 in Port Stephens earlier in the week, have now also been diagnosed with the virus.

One is a child under 10 years of age, who attended Tomaree public school.

Another is a child under 2 years of age who attended the Good Start early learning centre at Anna Bay.

Another case is a man in his 30's.

Both Schools have been closed for the day for deep cleaning and contact tracing, as well as Tomaree High School.

 All close contacts of the children will be notified and required to isolate for 14 days.

"We know the cases have attended a few sites in the Port Stephens area," said Public Health Physician Dr David Durheim.

Anyone who attended Salamander Bay Village Woolworths on;

 - July 17 between 2.30pm to closing time

 - July 18 between 4pm to closing time

 - July 19 between 12.45pm to closing time

 - July 20 between 3pm to closing time.

And the Fingal Bay Café and Takeaway on July 17 between 11.30am - 12 midday, are urged to get tested if presenting cold or flu like symptoms.  

Public Health Physician, Dr David Durheim said both stores have been deep cleaned over night.  

"So there's no ongoing risk to the community, but anyone who was in those destinations on those days and times, there is a small chance they would of encountered Covid-19 so they should really make use of the testing facilities available." 

A new three-lane drive through testing clinic will be opening up at the Tomaree Sports Complex this afternoon. 

It will then operate 8am-4pm seven days, hours will be extended as required to meet demand.

To make an appointment for the HNE Health Tomaree Drive Through Clinic or Tomaree Community Hospital Clinic, please call 4964 7497 between 8am-4pm. 

“We are experiencing a very high volume of calls so please be patient when calling to book an appointment. If the clinic you are hoping to visit is busy, you can find other local options by visiting the NSW Health website or your GP,” Dr Durrheim said.  

The Laverty Pathology COVID-19 Clinic also continues to be available at Tomaree Community Hospital from 8.30am to 3.30pm, Monday to Friday. 

Please visit your GP for a pathology referral prior to attending this clinic. 

 “This additional clinic increases our testing capability significantly. We are currently seeing between 300-400 people at our hospital clinic, with the on-site Laverty Clinic experiencing similar numbers. We anticipate this same amount again will attend the Drive Through each day,” said Dr Durrheim.

Young child in Hunter hospital with a confirmed case of meningococcal

BY JESSICA ROUSE

A young child is in a serious condition in a Hunter hospital with a confirmed case of Meningococcal Disease.

The potentially life-threatening illness she contracted isn't linked to any other cases in the region.

The infection doesn't spread easily but close contacts of the patient have been prescribed clearance antibiotics to prevent any potential spread.

The first signs of meningococcal disease may include pain in the legs, cold hands and feet and abnormal skin colour. Later symptoms may include high fever, headache, neck stiffness, dislike of bright lights, nausea and vomiting, a rash of reddish-purple spots or bruises, and drowsiness.

Public Health Physician David Durrheim is stressing that anyone who suspects they could have the symptoms should seek medical attention immediately.

"Anti-vaxxer" movement not changing the minds of Hunter residents

BY JARROD MELMETH

Despite recent politics around vaccinations, new data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare shows the people of the Hunter New England Health District are among the best "vaxxers" in the country.

The Immunisation report for 2015-16 crowns Hunter New England with the third highest rates of fully immunised children aged 5 years at 95.4 percent compared to the national average of 92.9 percent.

Hunter New England Health physician Dr David Durrheim said, "the anti-vaxxer" movement has had no impact on immunisation results locally or nationally.

"Across Hunter New England we have seen a sustained appreciation of the value of vaccinations offers in protecting children and we are not seeing parents moving away from vaccinations at all," Dr Durrheim said.

The report's results show 94.9 percent of 12-month-old children are fully vaccinated whilst only 92.3 percent of 2-year-old children are fully vaccinated.

Dr Durrheim attributes this to parents simply forgetting to immunise or being late to get their children immunised.

"We found that during the second year of life there are other vaccines that are also offered, and generally it is an issue, not that parents do not want their children to be vaccinated, but it is actually about getting their children vaccinated on time.

"The 5-year coverage figures are equally pleasing and that shows again that parents do want their kids protected but, sometimes the difficulties of young family life mean that vaccines are delayed, and that is not something we encourage as children are at their most vulnerable when they are young," Dr Durrheim said.

The Hunter New England Health District also ranked second in the country for Aboriginal Childhood immunisation at 12-months, which Dr Durrheim said highlights the network's efforts in closing the gap in coverage of Aboriginal Childhood immunisation.

"The Hunter New England Health District have been working with Aboriginal medical services, General Practitioners across the region and community health services.

"We contact Aboriginal mums and dads within the first few weeks of the birth of their little one by telephone and then provide an SMS service as reminders.

"So, we are pleased that initiative is paying off," Dr Durrheim said.

Dr David Durrheim