Media Release.
25th March 2020
Implications of contracting COVID – 19 hits home for patients with pre-existing conditions
The Australian Patients Association (APA) has called on Australians to invoke the Anzac spirit of co-operation and mateship in adhering to government mandated quarantine measures to help stop medically compromised patients being put at risk of catching COVID-19.
APA Chief Executive Stephen Mason said the ramifications of patients with pre-existing conditions being at risk of catching COVID-19 was becoming more apparent given a dramatic increase in the number of patient enquiries in the past week and the fact that APA staff were personally impacted by concerns of the virus spreading.
“From a personal point of view, I have an immediate family member undergoing treatment for breast cancer so the potential for her to get infected with Coronavirus is a very real concern given her immune system is compromised,” Mr Mason said.
“We also have a staff member who has cancer so we are concerned for the implications of her being impacted by a member of the public not following the mandated guidelines that are in place to help stop the spread of this highly contagious virus.”
“It is obviously a concern for thousands of patients across Australia as the number of hits to our website and enquiries from concerned patients with pre-existing conditions or their families has skyrocketed.”
Mr Mason said despite Anzac Day commemorations being cancelled on April 25, Australians still had the opportunity to invoke the Anzac spirit by sacrificing a small inconvenience to their daily lives to help save the lives of patients that are at risk of catching COVID-19.
“The Federal and State Governments have implemented strict self-quarantine and social distancing measures that if followed by the general public, will hopefully lead to less risk of patients with pre-existing medical conditions contracting Coronavirus. What better way for Australians to support those measures and do their bit for their fellow Australians who aren’t in good health, than to think of the Anzac spirit make a small sacrifice for their country and fellow Australians by staying indoors until the worst of this passes?”
“Australians are known for their generosity and spirit in helping others in times of crisis. Now is the time to see how we really measure up.”
Mr Mason also threw his support behind calls from the AMA for the health department to prioritise processing COVID-19 tests of frontline healthcare workers. There have been reports that some doctors and nurses have been in isolation for days waiting for results.
“These health workers are the first line of defence in treating patients with Coronavirus or those with pre-existing medical conditions. They should also not be exposed to potentially catching the virus themselves or passing it on to medically compromised Australians,” he said.
For further information: Stephen Mason, CEO, Australian Patients Association. Ph: 0408 944 859 email smason@patients.org.au
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