Infectious disease physician Peter Collignon believes Health Minister Mark Butler has made the right call to wind back COVID-19 provisions amid a rise in case numbers and outbreaks in aged care facilities.
Infectious disease physician Peter Collignon has backed the Federal Government’s decision to overhaul Australia's response to COVID-19 amid soaring cases in aged care facilities.the National COVID-19 Health Management Plan for 2023,The new path forward comes despite the number of COVID-19 outbreaks in aged care facilities tripling since October and infections rising above 3,500.
“To put it in perspective if you look over the last 12 months, yes there is more in aged care but there was more in winter and probably more earlier in the year, to a large degree that’s also because we’ve got less restrictions in aged care,” he told Sky News Australia on Tuesday. “Then if you get it, early testing and access to drugs that make a difference even if you’re vaccinated.”
Other key measures under the plan include extending the vaccine program until December 2023, increasing support for aged care, and additional virtual mental health services offered through June next year. “This is a bewildering decision by the government and goes against the advice of many experts including the AMA.However, Prof Collignon believes the move is “appropriate” as Australia heads into summer with high vaccination and immunity rates.
The infectious disease physician did raise concerns about senior citizens having timely access to PCR tests and other medications which could be delayed by the new requirement of a doctor’s referral.
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