Latest News
• Add My News • Search Old News
Russel Northe MLA:
More Testing Facilities Needed in LatrobeEnhanced testing capacities in the Latrobe Valley urged. By Portal Admin - 17th August 2020 - Back to News As Regional Victoria is about to enter Stage 3 Coronavirus restrictions, Member for Morwell Russell Northe is calling upon the State Government to urgently enhance testing capacities in the Latrobe Valley.
"I have been contacted by so many people who are experiencing significant delays or indeed an inability to receive a vital Coronavirus test in a reasonable timeframe" Mr Northe began.
"There has been a number of experiences conveyed to me that leave me very concerned including complications to even book a test, then days of delays to get tested and further delays in getting results and this is completely unacceptable if we are fair dinkum in getting on top of this virus", Mr Northe said.
Mr Northe said, "People are concerned and people are anxious about this situation and even more so as the number of active cases increase in our community, it is reasonable to expect that an escalation in testing demand occurs".
"The strong message from the Premier is that members of the community who are unwell or have been in close contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19 are directed to get tested, go home immediately and wait for their results and whilst people are generally trying to heed that advice - you must have prompt access to be tested and that is not currently occurring in our community" Mr Northe said.
Mr Northe confirmed today that his Electorate Office is receiving multiple calls per day where community members seek advice on the unavailability of appointments to receive a test, or to report that their results are taking exceptionally long time to be returned. As confirmed active cases in the community increase, these calls are becoming more frequent and more concerning as the days go by.
"I have been raising these same concerns regularly to the Government and the Minister for Health for a number of weeks now and whilst there was a suggestion that the Latrobe Valley would have its testing regime increased this simply has not happened which is disappointing" Mr Northe said.
"Delays to testing not only potentially puts more local people at risk of contracting this virus it is impacting employers, employees, individuals, families and people’s mental health and wellbeing. I appreciate that resourcing is difficult at the moment but the reality is more has to be done in a quicker timeframe and to provide testing for people who need to be tested as the Premier continually states" Mr Northe said.
"Drive through testing units have been deployed across the State and in other regional areas, so it makes sense to offer that service to areas where COVID-19 cases are increasing and that includes the Latrobe Valley. At one point drive through testing was available in our community but that has now been withdrawn and frankly testing opportunities are limited which is extremely problematic" Mr Northe said.
Source: www.gippsland.com Published by: support@gippsland.com
 If you are the author of this story you can edit it by clicking here
Related Articles- Covid-19 Testing in Latrobe Needs Ramping up
Drive through and mobile testing options within the Latrobe Valley urged. - Driver Testing Finally Moving Forward
Clarity welcomed in regards to driver licence testing arrangements for local drivers. - Licence Testing Concerns Continue
Long delays in sitting learners hazard perception test or going for their probationary drivers’ licence. - More Shade to Protect Tyers School Kids from Skin Cancer
More sunshades in school playgrounds and outdoor areas. - Driver Testing Resumes
Driver licence and learner permit testing will resume from today. - More Mental Health Support for Students in West Gippsland and the Latrobe Valley
Access to the school-based mental health support for secondary students soon. - Northe Licence Testing Backlog Continues
Driver licence testing still pending. - More Services along the Gippsland Line
Improved train frequency and reliability with a redesigned timetable effective early next year. - Funding for More Latrobe Valley Community Projects
Upgrades to community meeting spaces in Glengarry and Morwell with nearly $200,000 fund. - Latrobe City Advocates for Additional COVID-19 Testing Resources
Additional COVID testing resources to assist in reducing the lengthy delays requested. - Bringing More Clean Energy to Gippsland
The Victorian Government is helping more Gippsland businesses use renewable energy technologies to reduce electricity costs, create local jobs and support clean power - World Game Facilities - Fund Applications Now Open
$20 Million World Game Facilities Fund now open for applications. - Latrobe Valley Schools Share in $6.59 Million Maintenance Funds Boost
108 schools across Latrobe Valley to benefit from maintenance works carried out at their school. - Latrobe City Releases Draft Investment Roadmap for Comment
Latrobe City Investment Roadmap - ready for public comment. - Latrobe City Council named an Employer of Choice
Latrobe City Council, recognised as an Employer of Choice in The Australian Business Awards 2020. - Latrobe Valley and West Gippsland Clubs Score Sport Grants
Sport Grants awarded to Latrobe Valley and West Gippsland clubs. - Latrobe Valley Back to Work Scheme - Northe
Considerations to reinstate Latrobe Valley Back to Work Scheme. - Latrobe Valley Receives Vital Recovery Funding
Chambers of Commerce and Trader Groups provide critical advice, connections and resources to businesses in the Latrobe Valley and these grants will be crucial in helping them to support members’ transition to COVID Normal. - Changes to Facilities and Services
Closing community facilities is a difficult but necessary step. - Latrobe Valley Reserves Score Funding for Lighting Boost
Transformation and improved amenity with $1,046,109 from Community Sports Infrastructure Stimulus Program. - Latrobe City Libraries Sensitive Santa Sessions embraced by Community
Quiet, gentle introduction to Santa for children with sensory needs. - Latrobe City Gift Card set to Bolster Local Business
Shop local - your buck stops here. - Upgraded Classrooms and Facilities for Churchill Primary School
Bigger, better classrooms and school facilities for Churchill students. - Multicultural Media Boost to Reach More Victorians
Gippsland FM Community Radio Society Co-operative Ltd will receive $6300.00 to target the station's expanding podcasts menu. - West Gippsland and Latrobe Valley Business Chambers Receive Vital Funding
Funding from Grants for Business Chambers and Trader Groups awarded. - Kinders in the Latrobe Valley Get Tech Savvy with New Gear
$1.1 million in technology grants for kindergartens. - $436,839 Awarded to West Gippsland and the Latrobe Valley to Boost Safety and Employment
31 projects sharing in more than $5.6 million in funding under the 2020-21 Community Safety Infrastructure Grants - West Gippsland and Latrobe Valley Children Embrace Reading at Home
Congratulations to schools that participated in the Premiers’ Reading Challenge. - Announcement of New Latrobe City Councillors
New-look Latrobe City Council. - Program to Reconnect the Latrobe Valley with Jobs
Latrobe Valley people to receive help to re-join the workforce in a $47 million Reconnect expansion program. - Grants to Keep West Gippsland and Latrobe Valley Creatives Working
West Gippsland and Latrobe Valley artists and creative businesses to receive a lifeline from the Victorian Government. - Separate Roadmap Needed for Regional Victoria
Letter to the editor on a separate roadmap needed for regional Victoria. - Supporting Early Stage Latrobe Valley Businesses
Over $1.9 million in funding from the Business and Industry Capability Fund to support early stage businesses in the Latrobe Valley. - New Infrastructure for Latrobe Regional Hospital
Hospitals across the state will receive the latest life-saving medical equipment and upgrading vital infrastructure. - Grants Open to Help West Gippsland and Latrobe Valley Schools Build Inclusion
All inclusive playground and outdoor learning spaces soon. - Building & Improving Kindergartens in the Latrobe Valley for the Future
Victoria rolls out funded universal Three-Year-Old Kindergarten. - Celebrating Children’s Week in West Gippsland and the Latrobe Valley with Community Grants
$100,000 fund to local communities across Victoria to host fun and free educational activities and events during this year’s Children’s Week celebrations. - Virus escapes Melbourne without a Trace
Asymptomatic testing wasn’t offered to customers who were potentially exposed to a Melbourne virus outbreak. - New Energy and Growth Program for the Latrobe Valley
Latrobe Valley Energy and Growth Program (LVEGP) is now open for applications. - Bush Crew beautifies Latrobe City
Workers found new employment after losing their jobs during the pandemic through beautification of Latrobe City. - Helping Sport and Active Recreation Organisations in West Gippsland and the Latrobe Valley Survive and Thrive
Six grants under Community Sport Sector COVID-19 Short-term Survival Package announced.
|
|
