Latest News

• Add My News • Search Old News

Russel Northe MLA:
Covid-19 Testing in Latrobe Needs Ramping up

Drive through and mobile testing options within the Latrobe Valley urged.

By Portal Admin - 17th August 2020 - Back to News

As the Covid-19 active cases increase throughout the Latrobe Valley Member for Morwell Russell Northe has again called for the State Government to urgently set up drive through and mobile testing options within the Latrobe Valley.

Mr Northe has said that since he had highlighted the testing inadequacies publicly, his office had been inundated with calls from community members who were raising a number of concerns including barriers to receive a test, receiving timely access to tests, and delays in receiving test results.

Mr Northe said that he felt for those who were working on the ground as part of the testing process and who were doing their absolute best in challenging circumstances.

"However these organisations and their employees needed greater support and this is where the State Government needs to step up and establish more options for local residents" Mr Northe said.

"At the moment you either require a GP referral or show symptoms to receive a Covid-19 test in the Latrobe Valley and in some cases people are being rejected for a test on this basis. This is despite the Premier stating very strongly that people should go and get tested" Mr Northe said.

"Even needing a GP referral can add further delay to the whole process which is increasing people’s frustration" added Mr Northe.

Mr Northe also said that a number of local residents have expressed their concern in regard to the number of workers from Melbourne and the suburbs who are currently working on projects in our region on a regular basis, and whether adequate COVID protocols and testing is in place.

"Whilst we welcome some of the economic activity that is occurring in our community and projects being undertaken it is imperative that if workers are regularly interchanging between Melbourne and the Latrobe Valley that appropriate measures are in place to ensure the virus is not being spread unintentionally" Mr Northe said.

"The concept of a mobile testing makes sense to me in these scenarios and whereby multiple employees are interacting on the one site" Mr Northe said.

"We simply can’t afford to allow this virus to spread further in our community and testing is a key component in this regard. On July 30, Latrobe City had 6 active cases yet a week later cases have more than doubled, and that is concerning" Mr Northe concluded.

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: support@gippsland.com

If you are the author of this story you can edit it by clicking here

• More Testing Facilities Needed in Latrobe
  Enhanced testing capacities in the Latrobe Valley urged.
• Latrobe City Advocates for Additional COVID-19 Testing Resources
  Additional COVID testing resources to assist in reducing the lengthy delays requested.
• Driver Testing Finally Moving Forward
  Clarity welcomed in regards to driver licence testing arrangements for local drivers.
• Driver Testing Resumes
  Driver licence and learner permit testing will resume from today.
• Licence Testing Concerns Continue
  Long delays in sitting learners hazard perception test or going for their probationary drivers’ licence.
• 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 Schools Share in $6.59 Million Maintenance Funds Boost
  108 schools across Latrobe Valley to benefit from maintenance works carried out at their school.
• Northe Licence Testing Backlog Continues
  Driver licence testing still pending.
• 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.
• Latrobe Valley Reserves Score Funding for Lighting Boost
  Transformation and improved amenity with $1,046,109 from Community Sports Infrastructure Stimulus Program.
• Latrobe City Gift Card set to Bolster Local Business
  Shop local - your buck stops here.
• Kinders in the Latrobe Valley Get Tech Savvy with New Gear
  $1.1 million in technology grants for kindergartens.
• West Gippsland and Latrobe Valley Children Embrace Reading at Home
  Congratulations to schools that participated in the Premiers’ Reading Challenge.
• Funding for More Latrobe Valley Community Projects
  Upgrades to community meeting spaces in Glengarry and Morwell with nearly $200,000 fund.
• Announcement of New Latrobe City Councillors
  New-look Latrobe City Council.
• 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.
• 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.
• $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
• 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.
• 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.
• Supporting Our Music Industry in the Latrobe Valley
  Survival grants for local live music venues and new grants to protect music jobs on stage.
• Early Works Underway for Car Parks in the Latrobe Valley
  Tests underway to determine feasibility of the eight preferred sites in Moe, Morwell and Traralgon.
• Country Racing Needs a Clear Pathway Home
  Still no plan country racing clubs.
• Local Choir Creates Connection and Celebration across Latrobe Valley
  Inventive virtual choir promoting social connection and fun through music in the Latrobe Valley.
• Building Better, Safer Schools in West Gippsland and the Latrobe Valley
  Vital maintenance and safety works delivery to over 400 schools.
• 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.
• Virus escapes Melbourne without a Trace
  Asymptomatic testing wasn’t offered to customers who were potentially exposed to a Melbourne virus outbreak.