The Australian Government Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Professor Paul Kelly has today extended the current Hotspot for the purposes of Commonwealth support for Greater Melbourne, until 11:59 pm on 7 October 2021, with review on or before this date.
Increasing daily case numbers, with a high proportion of cases infectious whilst in the community, has led to an increasing number of exposure sites listed on the Victorian Government's website, posing ongoing risk to the community.
Professor Kelly has today declared a Hotspot for Greater Geelong, Surf Coast Shire and Mitchell Shire, backdated to 11:59 pm on 19 September 2021 until 11:59 pm on
26 September 2021, with review on or before this date.
Professor Kelly reminds the community of the risk and requests they continue to follow the directions of the Victorian government, in particular, community vaccination and testing efforts.
Declaring a hotspot for Commonwealth support triggers, if required:
- Provision of PPE from the National Medical Stockpile
- Actions for aged care facilities including PPE, single site workforce supplement and integration of an aged care response centre into the Public Health Emergency Operations Centre
- Assistance with contact tracing
- Asymptomatic testing via General Practitioner led Respiratory Clinics
- Reprioritisation of vaccine supplies, if required
- Access to COVID-19 Disaster Payment, if eligibility criteria are met
- Two Medicare Benefits Schedule items for telehealth consultations for patients in COVID-19 hotspots
- Support for childcare services, including additional allowable absences, gap fee waivers and support payments, if other eligibility criteria are met
