ONGOING gaps in healthcare is putting the region's Aboriginal peoples at higher risk for complications with COVID-19. Two new cases detected in Ballarat's Aboriginal communities have prompted leading Indigenous welfare experts to renew a call for extra care.
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Both cases were confirmed on Thursday among at least 37 Indigenous persons in Victoria infected. Of these, almost two-thirds are aged from 14 to 44.
Ballarat and District Aboriginal Cooperative leaders Karen Heap and Jon Kanoa said it was critical Aboriginal people do the right thing.
Chronic disease and health hasn't been on our side for a long time.
- Jon Kanoa, BADAC chief operating officer
"We've been trying to close the gap on health issues for a long period of time," Mr Kanoa said. "...Chronic disease and health hasn't been on our side for a long time. We need to make sure we have things in place for safety if we've got elders coming through our doors. We need to protect families and our young people."
BADAC enacted its pandemic response plan from the restriction outset, adapting home and community support services. The organisation is putting together care packs for the community. Mr Kanoa said keeping Aboriginal communities connected and informed was a challenge.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are at greater risk of hospitalisation with coronavirus if they: are aged 50-plus with chronic medical conditions; have a weakened immune system; or are aged 70-plus.
Ms Heap said the two cases in Ballarat made it more important than ever to reinforce social distancing, hygiene and masks to prevent the virus' transmission.
"Ballarat's been reasonably lucky to now," Ms Heap said. "If we take a piece out of the Melbourne model, and don't start taking care, Ballarat will be in lockdown."
The state's peak Aboriginal health body, Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation, is calling for all Indigenous peoples in regional Victoria to wear a face mask in public.
BADAC offers COVID-19 testing for all Aboriginal people in the region.
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