Please see below our daily update regarding Lane Cove and other important Covid 19 news. If you know elderly or vulnerable people in the community who do not have access to social media then please ask them to sign up to our newsletter and we will provide information to them via our newsletter. Sign Up here.
Everyone can help prevent the spread of COVID-19 by practising social distancing, thorough hand washing, cough etiquette and staying home unless it’s essential. To learn how to protect yourself and others click here.
COVID 19 Cases NSW
There are 229 COVID-19 cases being treated in NSW. This includes 37 cases in Intensive Care Units, and 24 of these require ventilators.
A further 2,108 people were tested for COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8 pm Monday 6 April 2020.
Sadly, NSW Health confirmed the death of 3 people from COVID-19, bringing the state’s total deaths of confirmed COVID-19 cases to 21.
In line with national COVID-19 control guidelines, NSW Health has increased testing in areas which may be at elevated risk of community transmission. They are encouraging people in these areas who have symptoms including fever and/or flu-like symptoms such as cough, sore throat or shortness of breath to be tested.
The new areas are Waverley, Woollahra, Dee Why, Manly, Ryde, Macquarie Park, Broken Hill, Lake Macquarie, Manning, Nowra and south Nowra, Byron and Port Macquarie.
If your work in Ryde or Macquarie Park or until recently you worked in Ryde or Macquarie Park and you have symptoms you may want to be tested.
By finding cases early and identifying appropriate isolation and quarantining of close contacts, NSW Health can help prevent onward transmission in the community. These recommendations are also being shared with NSW GPs and other clinicians to help implement this increased testing in the targeted areas.
COVID 19 Cases Lane Cove
There were 38 confirmed cases of COVID 19 in Lane Cove Council Area as at 8 pm 6th April 2020. You can now check the number of cases by postcode rather than Local Council Area:
- Lane Cove 2066 – 13 cases
- Greenwich and St Leonards South 2065 – 24 cases
This does not completely align with the latest LGA figures (see table below).
The Lane Cove Council area and includes the suburbs of Greenwich, Lane Cove, Lane Cove North (part), Lane Cove West, Linley Point, Longueville, Northwood, Riverview and St Leonards (part).
When you do a ratio of cases/population the stats are 38/39486 Lane Cove 45/150 752 Hornsby and 21/80 339 Willoughby (all population figures are based on people living in a local government area).
You can check these figures on a daily basis here.
Sydney Community Services Food Drive
Sydney Community Services is asking for donations to supply urgent items to vulnerable housebound people in our local area. Items needed include toilet paper, non-perishable food such as pasta, rice, tinned vegetables, tinned fruit, tinned soups, tuna, beans, sugar, tea, coffee, cereals, long life milk and personal hygiene products.
Donations can be dropped at Sydney Community Services, Ground Floor, 1 Pottery Lane, Lane Cove. Parking in Little Street car park, take the lift to ground level. Opening hours are Monday to Friday 8:30am – 4:00pm.
More and More SCS is being called upon to help out the vulnerable and elderly in our society. Please help with donations if you can.
Lane Cove HSC Year 12 Students
We are hearing from many local parents that their Year 12 students are worried if they will graduate this year.
The ABC has reported there will no Year 13 for HSC 2020 students. HSC students will not have to repeat and everyone will get an ATAR. There is still discussion on how the ATAR will be calculated but a variety of factors will be taken into account. Each State will work with the Universities to establish a system that allows flexibility for 2020 HSC students.
Universities Australia Chief Executive Catriona Jackson said the sector was working with state governments, schools and its own Tertiary Admissions Centres (TACs) to ensure Year 12s have a clear path to university in 2021.
“It’s not in anyone’s interest – neither the students, their parents, the schools or universities – to stop students from moving on,” Ms Jackson said.
“Australia needs as many of our Year 12s as possible to get a university education so they can contribute to Australia’s economic recovery as our future skilled workers, researchers, entrepreneurs and innovators.”
Ms Jackson said ATAR is only one method of entry into university.
“Every year, universities and TACs use a wide range of methods to assess and admit students – in addition to the ATAR,” she said.
“For Year 12 students, these include assessment of a student’s results across Year 11 and 12, especially in the subjects most relevant to the degree the student has applied for. Universities can review portfolios of students’ work and take extra-curricular activities into account.”
“Where appropriate, universities use aptitude tests. All universities offer a variety of bridging, foundation and enabling courses to prepare students for university, providing another pathway.”
“Also, universities will offer catch-up sessions where needed.”
Ms Jackson acknowledged the admissions process will look different to previous years, but the commitment to fairness, consistency and transparency would remain.
“We do not underestimate the challenge, but we are well placed to adapt – by expanding and extending the tried and tested admissions processes we use every year.”
Chief Executive Catriona Jackson said the sector was working with state governments, schools and its own Tertiary Admissions Centres (TACs) to ensure Year 12s have a clear path to university in 2021.
“It’s not in anyone’s interest – neither the students, their parents, the schools or universities – to stop students from moving on,” Ms Jackson said.
“Australia needs as many of our Year 12s as possible to get a university education so they can contribute to Australia’s economic recovery as our future skilled workers, researchers, entrepreneurs and innovators.”
Ms Jackson said ATAR is only one method of entry into university.
“Every year, universities and TACs use a wide range of methods to assess and admit students – in addition to the ATAR,” she said.
“For Year 12 students, these include assessment of a student’s results across Year 11 and 12, especially in the subjects most relevant to the degree the student has applied for. Universities can review portfolios of students’ work and take extra-curricular activities into account.”
“Where appropriate, universities use aptitude tests. All universities offer a variety of bridging, foundation and enabling courses to prepare students for university, providing another pathway.”
“Also, universities will offer catch-up sessions where needed.”
Ms Jackson acknowledged the admissions process will look different to previous years, but the commitment to fairness, consistency and transparency would remain.
“We do not underestimate the challenge, but we are well placed to adapt – by expanding and extending the tried and tested admissions processes we use every year.
Where to Get Flu Shots in Lane Cove?
With the 2020 flu season not far away, all Lane Cove resients — and especially those in vulnerable groups or age brackets — should arrange vaccination against seasonal influenza during the month of April.
The Minister for Health Released the following statement:
Australians should speak to their GP, pharmacist or aged care provider to arrange a flu vaccination over the coming weeks.
Whilst flu vaccination does not prevent against COVID-19, a flu vaccination is critical to protecting the general health of Australians from influenza, which can take between 100 to 1,000 lives per year depending on the severity.
Expert medical advice is that everyone aged six months and over should be vaccinated against influenza this year, and every year, to protect themselves and others in the community.
The National Immunisation Program provides free vaccines to those most at risk, including:
- pregnant women at any stage of pregnancy;
- all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged six months and older;
- people aged 65 years and older;
- people aged six months and older with certain medical risk factors; and
- for the first time, all children aged between six months and five years.
Receiving a vaccination from April provides optimal protection in the peak period of influenza circulation, usually from June to September in most parts of Australia.
This year it is even more important to be vigilant about the flu because of the COVID-19 pandemic. While there is not yet a vaccine or effective treatment for COVID-19, vaccination provides an effective defence against the flu.
Vaccinating against the flu will reduce the risk of a very dangerous double-up of flu and coronavirus—both diseases affecting the respiratory system.
Vaccinated people of all ages are less likely to get the flu and if they do, are less likely to have a severe case. Fewer cases and fewer severe cases of flu will result in less demand on our health care system.
Fortunately, most cases of COVID-19 in Australia so far have been mild, with only around 10 per cent of infected people requiring hospitalisation. This could change if people already made vulnerable by the flu also contract COVID-19.
The actions that we take to slow the spread of COVID-19 can also stop the spread of influenza and other viruses. Every one of us has a responsibility to contribute to this effort by:
- practising good hygiene
- practising social distancing
- following the Government’s directions on public gatherings and workplaces, and
- understanding how and when to self-isolate.
More information on the flu is available at https://www.health.gov.au/health-topics/immunisation/immunisation-services/flu-influenza-immunisation-service.
Keep up to date with the latest information on the COVID-19 pandemic and the Government’s response at www.health.gov.au.
Contact your Lane Cove doctor to make an appointment for the flu shots (children must have their flu shots administered by a doctor). If your local doctor does not have flu vaccine stocks, you can purchase them from local pharmacies and take them to your doctor.
As there has been a surge in demand, it’s a good idea to call your local pharmacy and check if they have stock. ITC checked with Riverview Pharmacy today and they had enough stock to vaccinate 15 people but this changes daily and depends on delivery.
Lane Cove Social Distancing on Footpaths
Lane Cove Footpaths are not huge, it can be tricky to ensure we are all 1.5 meters apart when passing one another… tricky, but not impossible!
Please be sure to give families with small children and/or prams and the elderly some space. It’s not easy for any of them to go off-road. Sometimes you can move into a driveway to let someone pass or even stand closer to the curb.
And runners, please be mindful of all the walkers out at the moment. We all need exercise, let’s do it 1.5 meters apart! Also, runners, it is dark in the mornings so please wear something fluro. This will help you be seen by cars on the road and cars entering and exiting driveways.
Keep moving SAFELY Lane Cove!!!
Easter Holidays
The official word from the Deputy Premier is please do not visit your holiday home or leave home for a holiday in regional Australia. The police will be out and about this Easter Weekend and they will be issuing fines.
Community Recycling Centre
Last week ITC was told the Community Recycling Centre was closed. This week the EPA has advised us that it is open.
Lane Cove Return and Earn
ITC contacted the EPA to ask if the Lane Cove Return and Earn reverse vending machine was still operational. They advised as follows:
“COVID 19 update: Return and Earn can be accessed for returns if it is in line with the most recent advice from the NSW Government Public Health Order available at https://bit.ly/2ys3Lt4
Recent orders limit the reasons for people leaving their homes without a reasonable excuse. People continuing to use the Return and Earn scheme need to ensure they comply with the latest public health orders.
Help stop the spread and stay healthy by keeping at least 1.5 metres from others when returning; using hand sanitiser or wet wipes to clean hands before and after; and staying home if you’re feeling unwell.
For the latest government advice, visit www.health.nsw.gov.au”
This response does not really answer the question – is recycling a reasonable excuse to leave home? The answer appears to be that if you are leaving home to go shopping for food or another essential item you can stop and drop off your bottles and cans. If you are going out for the sole purpose of recycling this is not acceptable.
The good news is that you can now return and earn contact-free. If you are returning your drink containers at a Return and Earn reverse vending machine, download the free myTOMRA App, which enables you to return touch-free.
Download the app at http://onelink.to/mytomra
Lane Cove Resources
Lane Cove Restaurant and Takeaway Guide
Lane Cove Fresh Food/Groceries Home Delivery Guide
Lane Cove Coffee Shops and Cafes Guide
Lane Cove Children’s Activities and Education Online
Lane Cove Health and Wellness For You and Your Pets
Shop Online Lane Cove Businesses and Help Them Out
When Are Your Permitted to Leave Your Lane Cove Home
For the Kids
Lane Cove Virtual Easter Egg Hunt
Do You Know A Local Tradie Looking For a Job?
A message from xchange air
Hi In The Cove Families
Firstly I hope this message finds you, your family and friends healthy and safe.
We are gold sponsors of ITC and we have a small family business that very thankfully for us is still able to trade.
We are in the home ventilation industry (installing subfloor ventilation systems and roof ventilation systems for residential clients).
As our offices are in Lane Cove and we are a local family, we wanted to reach out to our local community first to see if there is anyone with recent experience in the trades (building, electrical etc) who has had a downturn in business recently and may be struggling to find work.
We cannot guarantee how long we will have the work as every day seems to change so rapidly for but for now we are busy and would like to support someone in the community if we can.
This would be a subcontractor position so you would need your own ABN. Someone who is good on the tools, can handle working in confined spaces, is self-motivated and is eager to learn a new trade.
We would love to help someone get back on their feet who may have been hit hard by this devastating virus that has sadly affected so many so quickly.
Please email Michie if you are interested at [email protected]
www.xchangeair.com.au
NSW Covid 19 Cases
Sydney Community Services
Sydney Community Services is located in Lane Cove and has a long history of providing services to the aged and people living with a disability including social activities, gardening, home nursing, podiatry, Community Care Advisory, clean sheets and towels, home delivered meals, home modifications and maintenance, flexible respite, carers support, shopping services, community and engagement programs, medical transport and assistance in daily life.
Sydney Community Services (9427 6425) is a central source for anyone in Lane Cove or Hunters Hill who either need to self-isolate or choose to not go outside as they worry they are at risk of the Corona Virus.
If you are a neighbour of someone who may be at risk please check they are ok and let Sydney Community Services know if they need to be on the vulnerable list.
They are putting together a database of people who are in isolation but they also need volunteers who are able to help others who need emergency supplies, or even just give social contact, through a phone link.
They take referrals by phone on 9427 6425. You can also email [email protected] with your details.
They are now the first line of contact for many elderly and vulnerable people in our community.
Thank you to everyone who has put their name down for volunteering with SCS. They are working hard to process all the applications and comply with government requirements for volunteers in the aged sector. SCS will be in contact with you as soon as possible to work out a role for you to play. However, as you can appreciate, with each new day and announcement SCS has to readjust and change their plans.
They may need to call upon more residents in the future, but at this stage, they have enough volunteers.
Elderly or Vulnerable People Priority Online Shopping
If you are elderly or vulnerable you can arrange for priority shopping with Woolworths. Coles is working to introduce their priority home deliveries by the end of this week.
Woolworths has introduced Priority Assistance home deliveries to help the elderly, people with disability, those with compromised immunity and those in mandatory isolation. To apply for Priority Assistance delivery, please complete the form at woolworths.com.au/priorityassistance
Coles Online has been temporarily diverted to the Coles Online Priority Service (COPS), allowing them to focus on delivering food and grocery essentials to elderly and vulnerable members of the community, including retirement and nursing homes. They will shortly announce how customers can access COPS; please check www.coles.com.au for more details.
Mental Health Support
If you aren’t feeling yourself lately the Way2Wellness team are available to listen. Talk to a trained mental health supporter using a free and confidential wellbeing service.
For more information visit: www.way2wellness.org.au or call: 1300 120 446 to chat.
Closest Covid 19 Testing Clinic
There is a Covid 19 Testing Clinic at Royal North Shore. These clinics are currently assisting with the assessment and testing of people with fever, cough or flu-like symptoms who are returned travellers or a contact of a confirmed case.
NSW Health Advice on Social Distancing
Everyone should practise social distancing, as it reduces the potential for transmission.
Social distancing is an effective measure to reduce the potential for transmission, but it is recognised that it cannot be practised in all situations.
Social distancing includes:
- avoiding places where it is difficult to keep the appropriate distance away from others
- attempting to keep a distance of 1.5 metres between themselves and other people where possible, for example when they are out and about in public place.
- do not shake hands, hug, or kiss people who do not live with you.
Keep Up to Date With In the Cove
To make sure you don’t miss Lane Cove info sign up to our newsletter. It comes out every Wednesday Night at 7.30 pm and includes a wrap up of everything posted on our Facebook site in the previous week.
Did you know that In the Cove has an instagram page? Yes, we do and we feature pictures from our roving reporters and our ITC team that do not appear on our Facebook page. Follow us on @inthecove
