Australian Government Deputy Chief Medical Officer Professor Michael Kidd has today declared the state of Victoria a Hotspot for the purpose of Commonwealth support from 11:59pm on 21 August 2021 until 11:59pm on 2 September 2021, with review on or before this date.
This is in response to increasing numbers of new community cases across Greater Melbourne, many of which are unlinked, and the identification of a high number of exposure sites. In addition, this declaration reflects increasing concern regarding spread of the virus into regional Victoria, following the identification of 16 new cases in the regional area of Shepperton. This declaration aligns with the lockdown for regional Victoria announced by the Victorian Government on 21 August 2021.
Professor Kidd reminds the community of the risk and requests they continue to follow the directions of the Victorian Government.
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.
