SYDNEY: Specialised rapid response teams will handle outbreaks of Covid-19 as they appear in the Australian state of Victoria, reported Xinhua news agency, quoting officials’ announcement on Monday.
The announcement coincided with a partial easing of social distancing restrictions in the state, allowing groups of up to five adults to visit friends and family in separate households.
Outbreak squads, staffed by public health specialists and clinicians, will ensure appropriate testing, contact tracing and deep cleaning is carried out in order to contain outbreaks as Aussies venture out of lockdown.
“We have to stay vigilant until there is a vaccine, which is why we’re boosting our public health surveillance and response capacity, to keep Victorians safe as we move into the next phase of our pandemic response,” Minister for Health Jenny Mikakos said.
Mobile testing units will be deployed to areas which show a spike in cases and ongoing testing of sewerage will be increased to track the virus in the community and provide early signposts of localised outbreaks.
The squads will also work with high-risk businesses and industries to ensure a proactive approach to infection control and prevention.
Widespread testing remains an integral part of the Victorian government’s Covid-19 exit strategy with 161,000 people tested in the past two weeks and testing of those with even mild symptoms to continue over the next month. – Bernama
