1 00:00:00,160 --> 00:00:01,880 Speaker 1: We are going to head across now and just try 2 00:00:01,920 --> 00:00:04,600 Speaker 1: to find out a little bit more information about how 3 00:00:04,600 --> 00:00:08,080 Speaker 1: things are going at well out at the Howard Springs 4 00:00:08,160 --> 00:00:11,240 Speaker 1: Quarantine Facility. We know that the National Critical Care and 5 00:00:11,280 --> 00:00:15,600 Speaker 1: Trauma Response Center are doing a phenomenal job out there 6 00:00:15,680 --> 00:00:20,800 Speaker 1: in making sure that certainly those international arrivals are being 7 00:00:20,800 --> 00:00:24,040 Speaker 1: well looked after and cared for. Joining me on the 8 00:00:24,079 --> 00:00:26,440 Speaker 1: line right now from the National Critical Care and Trauma 9 00:00:26,480 --> 00:00:30,680 Speaker 1: Response Center, Abigail Truan, who is the director of Disaster 10 00:00:30,760 --> 00:00:36,480 Speaker 1: Response and Preparedness. Good morning to you, Abby, Good morning Katie. Now, 11 00:00:36,840 --> 00:00:39,320 Speaker 1: I know it's been well. I'm sure it has been 12 00:00:39,680 --> 00:00:42,360 Speaker 1: a busy time out there. How are things going. 13 00:00:43,840 --> 00:00:47,240 Speaker 2: They're going very well. We've got just under five hundred 14 00:00:47,240 --> 00:00:48,919 Speaker 2: people here and a few of them get to go 15 00:00:48,960 --> 00:00:50,840 Speaker 2: home in a few days time, so I'm sure they're 16 00:00:50,840 --> 00:00:51,559 Speaker 2: looking forward to that. 17 00:00:51,880 --> 00:00:55,440 Speaker 1: I bet they are. So just under five hundred people. 18 00:00:55,480 --> 00:00:58,400 Speaker 1: Are you expecting more arrivals in the near future. 19 00:00:59,120 --> 00:01:02,760 Speaker 2: Yeah, we certainly are. We've got continual arrivals which will 20 00:01:02,800 --> 00:01:06,560 Speaker 2: occur right through till March, and so yes, we are 21 00:01:06,560 --> 00:01:09,280 Speaker 2: getting those Aussies home, which is important. With a strong 22 00:01:09,319 --> 00:01:11,560 Speaker 2: focus on getting them home before Christmas. 23 00:01:12,000 --> 00:01:15,319 Speaker 1: Well, that is I think it's essential work. It is 24 00:01:15,360 --> 00:01:18,120 Speaker 1: something that needs to be happening, and certainly we've got 25 00:01:18,200 --> 00:01:22,440 Speaker 1: to bring our Aussies back home, Abigail. We know that 26 00:01:22,480 --> 00:01:25,640 Speaker 1: there are a number of people currently who do actually 27 00:01:25,720 --> 00:01:28,480 Speaker 1: have COVID nineteen who are out at the Howard Springs 28 00:01:28,480 --> 00:01:32,240 Speaker 1: facility that you guys are caring for. How do you 29 00:01:32,319 --> 00:01:35,319 Speaker 1: sort of how do you manage that and do you 30 00:01:35,360 --> 00:01:38,640 Speaker 1: have to take sort of different precautions with those who 31 00:01:38,680 --> 00:01:42,160 Speaker 1: you know are infected comparatively to those who aren't. 32 00:01:43,200 --> 00:01:47,040 Speaker 2: Well the Astronomy Medical Assistance Team we've been working in 33 00:01:47,080 --> 00:01:50,800 Speaker 2: this space since February, so we've got some excellent policies, 34 00:01:50,880 --> 00:01:54,440 Speaker 2: procedures and the protocols for our staff to follow because 35 00:01:54,480 --> 00:01:56,800 Speaker 2: of course, you know, we were aware that it was 36 00:01:57,000 --> 00:01:59,440 Speaker 2: likely we would get people with COVID coming from the 37 00:01:59,560 --> 00:02:02,720 Speaker 2: country's that they were traveling from, and so we had 38 00:02:02,720 --> 00:02:05,640 Speaker 2: some strong protocols in place through our staff well before 39 00:02:05,640 --> 00:02:08,960 Speaker 2: they arrived. So they're enacted now and it means we 40 00:02:09,040 --> 00:02:11,800 Speaker 2: do things like ensure that those who are looking after 41 00:02:11,880 --> 00:02:13,880 Speaker 2: those with COVID are separate to the rest of our 42 00:02:13,880 --> 00:02:16,240 Speaker 2: clinical staff. That would be one example. 43 00:02:16,520 --> 00:02:18,920 Speaker 1: And Abigail I know that there is going to be 44 00:02:19,040 --> 00:02:21,440 Speaker 1: or certainly it's been reported that there's going to be 45 00:02:21,720 --> 00:02:25,640 Speaker 1: the introduction of some regular rapid testing for some of 46 00:02:25,639 --> 00:02:27,359 Speaker 1: the staff out there at Howard Springs. 47 00:02:28,520 --> 00:02:31,480 Speaker 2: Yeah, look, that's correct. I think it's important to remember though, 48 00:02:31,520 --> 00:02:34,080 Speaker 2: you know, we're really lucky country. Australia has an excellent 49 00:02:34,120 --> 00:02:37,799 Speaker 2: laboratory system and PCR testing, which is the test that 50 00:02:38,080 --> 00:02:41,880 Speaker 2: most people will have if they're suspected of COVID, is 51 00:02:42,000 --> 00:02:43,000 Speaker 2: the gold standards. 52 00:02:43,120 --> 00:02:46,799 Speaker 3: So in a way, absolutely the Gold stands. But we've 53 00:02:46,800 --> 00:02:51,799 Speaker 3: got layers of protection in place for ourselves, includes things 54 00:02:51,840 --> 00:02:55,880 Speaker 3: like wash your hands, really good quality ppe and then 55 00:02:55,960 --> 00:02:59,200 Speaker 3: of course we have daily wellness screening of everyone on site, 56 00:02:59,240 --> 00:03:02,720 Speaker 3: including their temper and then in addition we'll be introducing 57 00:03:02,800 --> 00:03:06,400 Speaker 3: another layer, which is the antigen testing as well as 58 00:03:06,480 --> 00:03:08,120 Speaker 3: the PCR testing is required. 59 00:03:08,560 --> 00:03:10,800 Speaker 1: Well, I mean it sounds as though there is so 60 00:03:10,919 --> 00:03:15,080 Speaker 1: much being done to ensure not only that any arrival 61 00:03:15,160 --> 00:03:18,000 Speaker 1: is kept as safe as possible, but that the staff 62 00:03:18,040 --> 00:03:19,799 Speaker 1: out there are kept as safe as possible. 63 00:03:20,680 --> 00:03:23,720 Speaker 2: Oh absolutely, ladie. Look I'm a local, I help ten 64 00:03:23,760 --> 00:03:26,000 Speaker 2: minutes down the road and my family lives here too, 65 00:03:26,120 --> 00:03:30,200 Speaker 2: so we're all hypervigilant and making sure that we make 66 00:03:30,240 --> 00:03:32,480 Speaker 2: this as safe as we possibly can. And you know, 67 00:03:32,520 --> 00:03:34,920 Speaker 2: we feel for those in South Australia at the moment 68 00:03:35,000 --> 00:03:37,960 Speaker 2: because it is a tricky virus. You do need so 69 00:03:38,040 --> 00:03:40,520 Speaker 2: many layers to keep everyone safe and we all need 70 00:03:40,560 --> 00:03:43,480 Speaker 2: to remember not to drop our guard. We've been lucky 71 00:03:43,520 --> 00:03:47,600 Speaker 2: to date, but Darwin, South Australia and other states, you 72 00:03:47,640 --> 00:03:49,000 Speaker 2: know we need to stay vigilant. 73 00:03:49,200 --> 00:03:51,760 Speaker 1: Yeah, And I guess what we've seen as well in 74 00:03:51,800 --> 00:03:55,200 Speaker 1: those other states like South Australia and also Victoria, is 75 00:03:55,200 --> 00:03:58,680 Speaker 1: that it appears as though what happened or what has 76 00:03:58,760 --> 00:04:02,200 Speaker 1: happened is that we've had an international arrival and then 77 00:04:02,360 --> 00:04:06,000 Speaker 1: for whatever reason, at the facilities where they've been staying, 78 00:04:06,120 --> 00:04:08,880 Speaker 1: things maybe haven't been as vigilant as what it sounds 79 00:04:08,880 --> 00:04:11,520 Speaker 1: as though it is out there at Howard Springs right now, 80 00:04:11,640 --> 00:04:16,120 Speaker 1: and that virus has been able to spread. I mean, 81 00:04:16,160 --> 00:04:18,720 Speaker 1: it's a lot of responsibility, I guess on the shoulders 82 00:04:18,839 --> 00:04:21,080 Speaker 1: of you guys and your staff. 83 00:04:22,120 --> 00:04:24,760 Speaker 2: Well, I think you know we need to remember too. 84 00:04:24,800 --> 00:04:27,440 Speaker 2: No staff goes to work to get sick, and all 85 00:04:27,480 --> 00:04:30,440 Speaker 2: of us work really hard to stay healthy and safe. 86 00:04:30,720 --> 00:04:33,080 Speaker 2: But the virus, remember it takes a few days for 87 00:04:33,120 --> 00:04:35,640 Speaker 2: it to appear you might have it, and you could 88 00:04:35,680 --> 00:04:38,440 Speaker 2: be shedding that virus and spreading it before you actually 89 00:04:38,480 --> 00:04:41,039 Speaker 2: know you are. So you know, in fairness to everyone 90 00:04:41,040 --> 00:04:44,120 Speaker 2: who works in these high risk facilities, it's about not 91 00:04:44,200 --> 00:04:47,520 Speaker 2: only putting in place of procedures and protocols and reporting early. 92 00:04:47,760 --> 00:04:49,960 Speaker 2: But I think you know, the discussion around testing and 93 00:04:50,000 --> 00:04:53,480 Speaker 2: testing regularly is a wise one because you know, not 94 00:04:53,600 --> 00:04:55,800 Speaker 2: everything is known about the virus, and we see how 95 00:04:55,800 --> 00:04:58,919 Speaker 2: fast it can spread even with all the rigate in place. 96 00:05:00,000 --> 00:05:03,200 Speaker 1: That's exactly right, and such a difficult thing, i'd suppose, 97 00:05:03,600 --> 00:05:05,479 Speaker 1: you know, for all of us, but such a good reminder, 98 00:05:05,600 --> 00:05:07,640 Speaker 1: like you've pointed out for us all to just make 99 00:05:07,680 --> 00:05:09,440 Speaker 1: sure we're vigilant. And I think that sort of goes 100 00:05:09,480 --> 00:05:13,159 Speaker 1: without saying, not even not only talking about within the facility, 101 00:05:13,200 --> 00:05:15,600 Speaker 1: but also you know, out in your normal, sort of 102 00:05:15,920 --> 00:05:16,839 Speaker 1: normal life. 103 00:05:17,640 --> 00:05:20,440 Speaker 2: Absolutely, you know, one of the things we've seen with 104 00:05:20,440 --> 00:05:22,960 Speaker 2: the virus is you can have quite mild symptoms, a 105 00:05:22,960 --> 00:05:25,440 Speaker 2: little bit of a scratchy throat, maybe feeling a little 106 00:05:25,440 --> 00:05:28,000 Speaker 2: off color, and you may not think it's a big deal. 107 00:05:28,040 --> 00:05:30,400 Speaker 2: But this is why the testing, the PCR testing is 108 00:05:30,400 --> 00:05:33,359 Speaker 2: so important and for people to talk to their GP 109 00:05:33,600 --> 00:05:36,680 Speaker 2: and get that referral, speak to the COVID hotline, get 110 00:05:36,680 --> 00:05:39,320 Speaker 2: that referral. All of us need to keep doing that. 111 00:05:39,320 --> 00:05:43,839 Speaker 2: That's regular testing, frequent testing for those who have symptoms. 112 00:05:43,920 --> 00:05:45,840 Speaker 2: That's how we catch it before it gets any further. 113 00:05:46,360 --> 00:05:48,800 Speaker 1: And Abigail, has your team or the you know, the 114 00:05:48,880 --> 00:05:52,039 Speaker 1: National Critical Care and Trauma Response Center team, have you 115 00:05:52,360 --> 00:05:55,800 Speaker 1: had much to do with the arrivals coming from Alice 116 00:05:55,839 --> 00:05:58,360 Speaker 1: Springs as well or has that been you just with 117 00:05:58,440 --> 00:06:01,479 Speaker 1: the international side of things that stage, so. 118 00:06:01,760 --> 00:06:05,160 Speaker 2: We manage the international side of the facility. So no, 119 00:06:05,279 --> 00:06:07,240 Speaker 2: not at this stage. And I'm sure all of our 120 00:06:07,240 --> 00:06:09,520 Speaker 2: colleagues are working very hard on the domestic side to 121 00:06:09,560 --> 00:06:11,640 Speaker 2: make everyone comfortable and get them settled in. 122 00:06:11,760 --> 00:06:14,880 Speaker 1: A busy time for everybody involved, no doubt about it. 123 00:06:14,960 --> 00:06:17,440 Speaker 1: Good on you guys and the wonderful work that you do. 124 00:06:17,480 --> 00:06:21,440 Speaker 1: We really appreciate your time this morning. Thanks Katie, thank you. 125 00:06:21,920 --> 00:06:25,240 Speaker 1: That is Abigail Truan there and she is the director 126 00:06:25,480 --> 00:06:30,039 Speaker 1: of Disaster Response and Preparedness for the National Critical Care 127 00:06:30,160 --> 00:06:33,760 Speaker 1: and Trauma Response Center. As we say, they do a 128 00:06:33,760 --> 00:06:37,560 Speaker 1: phenomenal job. I think we call them the Swiss Army 129 00:06:37,640 --> 00:06:40,279 Speaker 1: Knife of the medical world because they can roll out 130 00:06:40,320 --> 00:06:45,560 Speaker 1: and literally really help people wherever they go and in 131 00:06:45,600 --> 00:06:49,600 Speaker 1: some pretty difficult situations. So when we talk about those 132 00:06:49,640 --> 00:06:53,839 Speaker 1: international arrivals, they have got many layers in place to 133 00:06:53,880 --> 00:06:56,640 Speaker 1: try to keep staff and everybody out there as safe 134 00:06:56,680 --> 00:06:59,280 Speaker 1: as possible, which I've got to say it does make 135 00:06:59,320 --> 00:07:01,800 Speaker 1: you feel much more at ease with the fact that 136 00:07:01,839 --> 00:07:05,680 Speaker 1: we have got international arrivals coming to the Northern Territory because, 137 00:07:05,680 --> 00:07:07,919 Speaker 1: as I sort of said throughout that discussion, we know 138 00:07:07,960 --> 00:07:12,120 Speaker 1: in Melbourne and South Australia that has unfortunately been how 139 00:07:12,200 --> 00:07:15,080 Speaker 1: they've been in a situation where that COVID spread has 140 00:07:15,120 --> 00:07:18,760 Speaker 1: happened at some of those facilities where the international arrivals 141 00:07:18,520 --> 00:07:22,760 Speaker 1: have been well going into. But here in the territory 142 00:07:22,800 --> 00:07:25,480 Speaker 1: we've got the wonderful team the National Critical Care and 143 00:07:25,520 --> 00:07:29,760 Speaker 1: Trauma Response Center really managing things on the international side.