With no new cases of COVID-19 being reported on the Central Coast for some time The Hunter New England and Central Coast Primary Health Network says GPs are worried that residents will become less vigilant in following medical advice.
Dr James Wolstenholme from Mingara Medical said while the Coast had done well in containing the virus, it was important to realise that that was only because of measures undertaken so far.
“The social distancing, the hygiene guidance and the closures, the unfortunate closures that have happened, all those things together have resulted in us being able to control the spread of the virus very well,” he said.
Dr Karim Ahmed from Killarney Vale Medical Practice agreed.
“You go back to normal, this time next month we could be like New York,” he said.
“We have to be very careful.”
GPs are also reinforcing how important it is for people to self-isolate once they have a COVID-19 test.
“It’s absolutely critical that if you’ve been swabbed and you’re a suspected case that you isolate at home until you get the all clear”, Wolstenholme said.
Ahmed said the tests are not 100% accurate.
“There is a percentage of false negatives…which means you could be carrying the coronavirus”, he said.
“If you develop any new symptoms, you also have to seek medical attention.
“The fact that you had symptoms and you tested negative doesn’t mean that you are immune to coronavirus.”
Wolstenholme said the main risk was complacency.
“If we relax too soon, this will come back to bite us”, he said.
Source:
Media release, Jun 2