Central Coast Local Health District (CCLHD) has reminded residents that online grocery delivery services are available in most areas of the region, as supplies of toilet paper and sanitised handwash dwindle at many supermarkets in a panic buying reaction to the latest news on the spread of the coronavirus.
Social media has been flooded in recent days with comments and pictures showing bare supermarket shelves as shoppers rush to stock up on what they see as essential items, should there be an escalation of the virus.
The trend state wide prompted Woolworths to announce on March 4 that it was imposing a quantity limit on toilet paper packs to ensure that more customers have access to the products.
“The purchase limit of four packs per customer transaction applies in-store and online,” the company’s website says.
“It will help shore up stock levels as suppliers ramp up local production and deliveries, in response to higher than usual demand.
“Our teams are continuing to work hard on restocking stores with long life food and groceries from our distribution centres.
“The vast majority of the products in our range remain available for our customers as normal.”
A CCLHD spokesperson said it was prudent for households to have a small stock of non-perishable groceries to cover the event that in coming months, households are asked to self isolate.
The spokesperson said it was also important to note the role of family and friends in supporting those in isolation.
There have been no reported cases of coronavirus on the Central Coast.
Meanwhile, the State Opposition has called for hand sanitiser to be made available at major railway stations, schools and other major public spaces on the Coast, as well as around the rest of the State.
The call came following an announcement from the Department of Parliamentary Services that hand sanitisers would be made available at key locations around Parliament House.
“We don’t know a lot about this virus, but what we do know is that it can actually, if it’s similar to the other coronaviruses, survive on hard surfaces for quite a while,” Shadow Health Minister, Ryan Park, said.
“So, if you’re out and about, you put your hand on a banister, you put your hand on a rail on a train or bus, it’s possible that you might end up with the virus on your hands.”
Park said sanitiser should be made available at locations where many people gather, including major railway stations, public spaces and sporting events.
Shadow Minister for the Central Coast, David Harris, said action to prevent coronavirus spreading further should be taken in every city and town across the State, including the Central Coast.
“There’s no reason why we can’t have hand sanitiser being dispensed in busy places across the entire State,” he said.
But Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast, Adam Crouch, said the move was unlikely.
“While alcohol based hand wash is a key infection control resource in hospitals and other healthcare settings, it is unlikely to be safe or feasible to make this hand wash available on public transport or in other general public settings,” Crouch said.
“I understand that NSW Health is currently assessing what feasible options there may be for supplying or promoting hand sanitisers, or other infection control measures, to reduce the spread of communicable diseases, particularly for the winter months.”
NSW Health has urged people returning from Cambodia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Iran, Italy, Japan, Singapore, South Korea and Thailand to be vigilant in monitoring themselves for respiratory symptoms or fever.
NSW Chief Health Officer, Dr Kerry Chant, said symptoms may be very mild, and include fever, cough, sore throat, or shortness of breath.
“If symptoms develop, immediately isolate yourself and call your doctor or health direct 1800 022 222 for an assessment,” Chant said.
If you have been in contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19 (coronavirus), or you returned from mainland China recently, you must self-isolate for 14 days since last contact or departure from mainland China.
“Please avoid gatherings if you have been in contact with suspect cases or in countries where there have been outbreaks,” Chant said.
NSW Health provides up-to-date information on COVID-19 on its website.
“I want to stress that there is still no evidence of community transmission of COVID-19 in Australia,” Chant said.
“This advice is to protect the community and the health of individuals who have visited higher risk international destinations.”
NSW Health suggests the following safety measures: Clean your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds, or an alcohol based hand rub; cover your nose and mouth when coughing and sneezing with tissue or a flexed elbow; avoid close contact with anyone with cold or flu-like symptoms; and, practice cough etiquette.
Source:
Media release, Mar 3
Shadow Minister for the Central Coast, David Harris and Shadow Health Minister, Ryan Park
Media statement, Mar 5
Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast, Adam Crouch
Media statement, Mar 4
Central Coast Local Health District
Woolworths website
NSW Health website