A reminder to stop the spread

The Gippsland Region Public Health Unit (GRPHU) is reminding people in Gippsland to do five simple things to stop the spread of respiratory illness: cover (with a face mask), vaccinate, separate (from other people), ventilate and sanitise.  

The unit also provided information on Monkeypox. According to the organisation, as of August 3 there were 21 cases in Victoria - none of which were recorded in Gippsland.

According to the health unit "person-to-person transmission of Monkeypox occurs with very close contact with infected people (such as skin-to skin contact during intimate or sexual contact, and can also spread through respiratory droplets and contact with ‘fomites’ or infected surfaces (such as contaminated clothing, towels or furniture)". 

In August the GRPHU vaccination bus Chitty Chitty Jab Jab will continue providing free COVID-19 vaccinations.

The Chitty Chitty Jab Jab Baw Baw locations are: 

• August 16, Main St Yarragon, 10am to 3pm
• August 27, Goods Shed Warragul Carpark, 10am to 3pm. 

To access a free vaccination, people need to bring a Medicare card or other form of identification - children must bring proof of age. 

Today it was also announced that free N95 masks will be available at state-run testing sites and community health services across the state. 

The initiative is intended to help reduce the transmission of the virus. 

"Providing masks free of charge to those who need them most will help them protect themselves, their loved ones, and Victoria’s hardworking healthcare workers," said premier Daniel Andrews. 

According to the Victorian Government, Warragul Respiratory Clinic is one of the facilities providing N95 masks. 

Baw Baw COVID-19 testing locations: 

West Gippsland Healthcare Group, RATs only, Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm. Saturday and Sunday, 9am to 2pm. 

Warragul Respiratory Clinic, PCRs only, by appointment. Call: 5642 6666 or go online, https://bit.ly/3Fbd8eH