There have been confirmed cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) in the Hawkesbury and the Blue Mountains, according to Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District (NBMLHD).
NSW Health are contacting people who have had close contact with the confirmed cases, NBMLHD said.
"The risk of contracting COVID in the community from casual contact remains low," Associate Professor Bradley Forssman, Director Public Health, NBMLHD, told the Gazette.
Assoc Prof Forssman advised locals do the following to keep themselves and others safe:
- Keep your hands clean by washing them often with soap and water or using hand sanitiser
- Avoid touching your eyes, mouth, or nose as the virus can enter your body if it's on your hands and you rub your eyes or touch your nose or mouth
- Maintain social distance when you can, 1.5 metres between you and others is good
- If you think a surface may be infected, clean it with simple disinfectant to kill the virus and protect yourself and others
- Sneeze and cough into your elbow rather than your hand
- Use disposable tissues
- Keep your distance from those who are coughing and sneezing
- Stay home if you are unwell and call, not visit, your own GP or call Healthdirect on 1800 022 222 for advice.
NBMLHD will be opening a coronavirus clinic in the Hawkesbury next week. The location and opening hours are yet to be confirmed.
Meanwhile, there are coronavirus clinics open seven days a week at Blue Mountains Hospital (9am to 5pm), Lithgow Hospital (10am to 3pm) and Nepean Hospital (10.30am to 6.30pm).
Assoc Prof Forssman said these clinics are for people who have:
- Travelled overseas in the last 14 days and also have symptoms similar to a cold or flu
- Had close contact with a loved-one or other person who has a confirmed diagnosis of COVID.
"Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District and our hospitals have well established plans for handling respiratory infections, like COVID-19 and influenza. These plans are reviewed regularly and updated to reflect the latest advice and research," Professor Forssman said.
"Staff are trained in world's best practice for infection control and prevention which helps to keep our patients, visitors and staff safe."
A one-stop website for information about COVID-19 for the community and health professionals is available at https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/diseases/Pages/coronavirus.aspx.
