Published on Wednesday, 5 February 2020 at 8:02:27 AM
The Western Australian health system is very well prepared to manage infectious disease situations and have well established systems and processes in place. The risk of the Coronavirus to the WA community remains low. Western Australians should remain alert, but they should not be alarmed. There are currently no confirmed cases in this State.
At this stage, there is no role for Local Governments (including Environmental Health Officers) in WA’s response to Coronavirus, except in helping to direct any queries from your local community to trusted sources of information.
Up to date information is available on the HealthyWA website - https://healthywa.wa.gov.au/Articles/A_E/Coronavirus. This should be the main page to refer people to and has information for individuals, parents, schools and early childhood centres.
The Commonwealth has released numerous fact sheets to answer the many questions that are currently being asked by the broader community and different industries (e.g. advice for hotels and hotel staff). These fact sheets can be accessed on their website at https://www.health.gov.au/resources/collections/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov-resources.
For enquiries:
- Coronavirus Health Information Helpline (Healthdirect) - 1800 020 080 (24/7 queries) e.g. my neighbour has just returned from China what should I do, someone from China has booked my Airbnb or my hotel what should I do, questions for childcare centres, parents and schools.
- Local government with specific enquiries about management responses can contact your local Population Health Unit, Communicable Disease Control Unit or alternatively contact the Coronavirus hotline who will put you in contact with the most appropriate support officer.
Metro - (08) 9222 8588 or MCDCWA (1300 623 292) contactMCDC@health.wa.gov.au
Kimberley - (08) 9194 1630 WACHSKimberleyCommunicabaleDiseaseControl@health.wa.gov.au
South West - (08) 9781 2350 WACHSSouthwestCommunicableDiseaseControl@health.wa.gov.au
Goldfields - (08) 9080 8200 WACHSGoldfieldsCommunicableDiseaseControl@health.wa.gov.au
Midwest - (08) 9956 1985 WACHSMidwestCommunicableDiseaseControl@health.wa.gov.au
Wheatbelt - (08) 9690 1720 WACHSWheatbeltCommunicableDiseaseControl@health.wa.gov.au
Great Southern - (08) 9842 7500 WACHSGreatSouthernCommunicableDiseaseControl@health.wa.gov.au
Pilbara - (08) 9174 1660 WACHSPilbaraCommunicableDiseaseControl@health.wa.gov.au
The Communicable Disease Control Directorate, WA Department of Health, are leading the response to Coronavirus in WA, with support from the Population Health Units from the Health Service Providers.
Two media statements have been issued by the Chief Health Officer on the 2 February 2020 and the 22 January 2020, which provide the most up-to-date overview for WA.
This information is not about alarming your community, but to help keep everyone informed on where to go for accurate information and to reassure Western Australians that Australia has one of the best health systems in the world and we are prepared to deal with this situation.
You can learn more about the novel coronavirus, including information about symptoms, travel and other advice and what you can do if you have concerns, by visiting the Department of Health website - www.healthywa.gov.au/coronavirus.
Update provided by Nick Sloan, Chief Executive Officer, WALGA.
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