Member for Riverina Michael McCormack

It has been a tough few years and all Riverina and Central West residents have been affected in some way.

Whether it be our primary producers recovering from the effects of drought, to floods and storms threatening homes and farmland and, of course, the COVID-19 pandemic, we have all faced significant adversity and, in a show of typical regional Australian community spirit, we have stood tall to be our best selves against these challenges.

Australia can be proud that it is one of the most vaccinated countries when it comes to COVID-19. The fact remains, despite new variants, vaccination remains our best defence against this virus.

We need to continue doing the right things to keep safe our more vulnerable in our community – practising social distancing, wearing masks when appropriate and getting the COVID-19 jab.

Whether you have rolled up your sleeve twice or you have become eligible recently, such as those in the five- to 11-year-old age category, your efforts to continue to protect your community through getting the booster or getting your first jab are to be commended – you are saving lives and protecting livelihoods in your local community. Thank you.

We all want to get back as quickly as we can to the way our lifestyles were before the pandemic – the vaccine is helping us do just that.

You can go to www.health.gov.au to find the nearest available COVID-19 vaccine clinic and to book your vaccination.

Michael McCormack MP
Member For Riverina

From Monday 7th February non-urgent elective surgery requiring an overnight stay will return to 75 per cent capacity in private hospitals, and up to 75 percent of pre pandemic activity levels at public hospitals in regional and rural NSW where they are able to do so.

The temporary suspension of non-urgent elective surgery requiring an overnight stay in both public and private hospitals from 10th January was necessary to ensure there was sufficient staffing and hospital bed capacity in NSW to meet the extra demands caused by the Omicron wave of COVID-19.

Minister for Regional Health Bronnie Taylor said people in regional NSW will be pleased to see a resumption in non-urgent elective surgery as we return to a normal operating environment.

“It’s been a challenging time, but our doctors and nurses and support staff have worked tirelessly in our regional hospitals to support people in need of urgent care,” Mrs Taylor said.

The NSW Government provided an extra $80 million as part of the 2021-22 NSW Budget.

The NSW Government has committed more than $4 billion to the NSW health system since the COVID pandemic began in March 2020.

MOZZIES ABOUT: Forbes Shire Council is asking residents to take care after Ross River Virus was discovered in their flock of sentinel chickens. There is no cure for Ross River Virus and people are asked to remain alert and take precautions.

Residents are being asked to take precautions to protect themselves from mosquitoes in these incredibly wet times the region is experiencing.

“Our team has been spraying our public spaces, including sporting fields, ovals and the lake foreshore, with a targeted insecticide to try and keep numbers at bay,” said Forbes Shire Mayor Phyllis Miller.

“Our flock of sentinel chickens and mosquito traps have detected Ross River Virus (RRV) and we would like to alert the community to do what they can to protect themselves when outside over the coming months,” said Miller.

“The only way to prevent being infected with a disease such as Ross River is to avoid being bitten in the first place. There is no vaccine or special treatment to prevent catching the disease and it affects people in different ways.”

Symptoms can last for weeks to months, and include painful or swollen joints, sore muscles, skin rashes, fever, fatigue and headaches.

“If you are concerned about some of these symptoms we encourage you to visit a local GP and they will conduct a blood test to advise you if you have contracted RRV,” said Mayor Miller.

Prevent mosquito bites with the following precautions:

• Reduce activity outdoors during dawn and dusk, when mosquitoes are more likely to bite;

• Cover up with long, loose-fitting, light-coloured clothing when outdoors;

• Repel by applying an effective personal repellent containing diethyltoluamide (DEET) or picaridin evenly to all areas of exposed skin and always follow the label Instructions;

• Use insecticide sprays, vapour dispensing units (indoors) and mosquito coi (outdoors) to clear rooms or repel mosquitoes from an area;

• Screen all household doors and windows;

• Remove potential breeding grounds around your home. These include any water-holding containers including blocked gutters and rainwater tank overflow pipes, and washout birdbaths and ornamental pools weekly.

For further information go to: www.health.nsw.gov.au/environment/pests/vector/Pages/resources.aspx