POPULATION HEALTH NEWSLETTER
Special Issue: COVID-19
March 2020
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CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) UPDATE
Attending Central Highlands Rural Health
Due to the current COVID-19 situation and based on the most up-to-date health and safety advice from the Department of Health and Human Services, Central Highlands Rural Health, Integrated Primary Care Team are working together to ensure a healthy and safe community through information sharing and the provision of support services where possible.
Here is an update on the COVID-19 impact on Integrated Primary Care services (Community Health Services):
All IPC Reception points have a ‘red line’ where patients/visitors are advised to stay behind in an effort to achieve social distancing, along with waiting room chairs being spaced further apart.
All IPC Reception staff and Clinicians have been provided with a script to inform clients of the COVID-19 symptoms and risk factors and the need to either contact their GP or self-isolate.
All group based activities have been suspended until further notice, this includes internal and external groups. These groups are currently being notified.
Individual Clinicians are encouraged to undertake phone consultations where appropriate i.e. Some Psychology, Social Work and AOD can be completed over the phone. Please enquire with reception if you are eligible. Some physical wellbeing clinicians may also be suitable for phone consultations. Please notify reception if you will not be attending scheduled appointments and check the possibility of transitioning towards phone based consultations.
Oral Health is suspending the roll out of the Smile Squad Program to schools, and with the suspension of most sporting competitions, also suspended the Mouth Guard Initiative until further notice. The procedures we are able to perform in the clinic are also being reduced.
Maternal & Child Health are suspending all groups and looking at phone consultations where appropriate.
Population Health Team have suspended all groups and activities including Achievement Program, The Cook, The Chef & Us, Creswick Men’s Friendship Shed, Puberty Education, Smiles 4 Miles and is working towards providing support and information in respect to staying healthy and well in the face of likely community restrictions.
If you have any questions about attending Central Highlands Rural Health please contact reception on 5321 6550.
If you have any questions about COVID-19 (coronavirus) please visit the Department of Health and Human Services who are providing regular updates.
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Coronavirus (COVID-19) can be spread via close contact with someone infected with the illness through droplets that are spread by coughing or sneezing, or by contact with contaminated hands, surfaces or objects.
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HOW CAN WE HELP STOP THE SPREAD?
- Wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds (try singing Happy Birthday twice), or use an alcohol-based hand rub.
- Cough and sneeze into a tissue or into your elbow.
- Dispose of tissues straight into a bin and then wash your hands.
- Avoid close contact with anyone with cold or flu-like symptoms.
- Practice social distancing of more than 1.5 metres to create space between each other in social situations.
For more information about Coronavirus (COVID-19) please click on the following Australian Government links:
Victoria State Government
Australian Government
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CARING FOR YOUR MENTAL WELLBEING
Everyone is being effected in one way or the other, whether it is being flooded with information, some factual and some not or just changes to your everyday life. This can cause undue stress. We're offering 3 easy tips top help prevent or reduce stress related to the COVID-19 event.
- Get your information from factual and trustworthy sources only.
- Limit your exposure to sensationalist of fear-mongering media, groups or individuals.
- Maintain usual routines as much as possible, or adapt/replace with new routines.
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Struggling to talk to your children about COVID-19?
Click here for some advice.
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HEALTHY EATING
It's always important to maintain good nutrition and hydration particularly if you are unwell.
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It is recommended that you drink water regularly (approximately 6-8 glasses a day) to stay healthy and hydrated and try to eat a variety of 5 portions of vegetables and 2 of fruit each day.
To find out the important role water plays in all parts of our body click here.
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During this time we understand that you may not have access to all of your favourite healthy foods. Check out the healthy eating guide below for all the products that fall into the five food groups, and it might help give you some ideas about how to change things up!
If you're stuck for recipe ideas check out the following:
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Beef Red Curry (5 serves)
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Ingredients
Rice, long grain, raw
Vegetable oil
Beef, lean, cut into strips
Onion, sliced
Red curry paste
Chicken Stock (reduced salt)
Pumpkin, diced
Carrot, chopped
Zucchini, chopped
Red capsicum, chopped
Lemon rind, grated
Evaporated milk, coconut flavoured, reduced fat
Spinach leaves chopped
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200g
10ml
500g
175g
40ml
175ml
650g
75g
100g
180g
1 tbsp
350ml
350g
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Method
1 Cook rice according to packet instructions.
2 Heat half the oil in a large saucepan over high heat.
3 Add beef and stir-fry for 3 minutes, then turn onto a plate.
4 Add remaining oil to saucepan, add onion and cook until transparent.
5 Lower heat to medium, add curry paste and cook for 2 minutes or until aromatic.
6 Stir through stock, beef, pumpkin, carrot, zucchini, capsicum and lemon rind.
7 Simmer for 10 to 15 minutes until pumpkin is soft, adding water if needed.
8 Add evaporated milk and spinach and cook until heated through. Do not boil.
9 Serve with rice.
Notes:
• Try serving with wholemeal flat breads instead of rice for something different
• Swap the vegetables depending on the season and what you have in stock, such as potatoes, peas, broccoli, cauliflower or eggplant.
• Swap the chicken stock for vegetable and the beef for chickpeas to make this recipe vegetarian.
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Notes:
• Try serving with wholemeal flat breads instead of rice for something different
• Swap the vegetables depending on the season and what you have in stock, such as potatoes, peas, broccoli, cauliflower or eggplant.
• Swap the chicken stock for vegetable and the beef for chickpeas to make this recipe vegetarian
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Being physically active can improve your overall physical and mental health and wellbeing. Try and aim for at least 30 minutes a day.
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Here are some tips on staying active at home:
- Get outside and do some gardening.
- Download an online app that provides exercises to get you moving at home.
- Body weighted exercised like push ups, squats and lunges can strengthen your muscles.
- Put on some music and get dancing.
- Grab a mat and do some yoga or pilates.
- Play a game of backyard cricket.
- Grab a skipping rope and get skipping!
Active April has some great workout videos for you to try at home! Sign up here and check out their videos including yoga, strength, cardio and much more!
While you're there join our team: active-hepburn-shire so we can see how active our community is during this difficult time!
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SHOWING SYMPTOMS OF COVID-19?
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If you meet the following criteria then please contact the dedicated hotline at 1800 675 398 to decide whether you should seek COVID-19 testing.
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Fever OR Acute respiratory infection (for example, shortness of breath or cough) with or without fever
AND
International travel in the 14 days before the onset of illness
OR
Close or casual contact in the 14 days before illness onset with a confirmed case of COVID-19.
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If you do not meet the above criteria - but are feeling unwell, you should stay at home and contact your medical practitioner for advice.
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Self-Isolation
Some people may be required to self-isolate to reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19
When to Self-Isolate?
• If you have been diagnosed with COVID-19 and are well enough to stay at home.
• If you have been in contact with a person infected with COVID-19.
• If you have arrived from overseas after March 15th.
Self-Isolation means:
• Stay at home for 14 days
• Do not go to public places such as work, school, shopping centres, childcare or university.
• Ask someone to get food and other necessities for you and leave them at your front door.
• Do not let visitors in — only people who usually live with you should be in your home.
You do not need to wear a mask in your home. If you need to go out to seek medical attention, wear a surgical mask (if you have one) to protect others.
You should stay in touch by phone and on-line with your family and friends.
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