Responding to the pandemic at a national and state public health level
Sonya BennettCommunicable Diseases Branch, Prevention Division, Queensland Health, Brisbane, Qld, Australia. Email: Sonya.Bennett@health.qld.gov.au
Microbiology Australia 42(1) 13-17 https://doi.org/10.1071/MA21005
Submitted: 25 January 2021 Accepted: 14 February 2021 Published: 12 April 2021
Journal Compilation © The Authors 2021 Open Access CC BY, published (by CSIRO Publishing) on behalf of the ASM
Abstract
Australia’s planning and preparedness for a health emergency response has served us well in the response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite this, rapid and agile decisions were required to manage the public health impact. In the face of uncertainty and the seemingly evolving nature of the virus, we have seen precautionary actions and outcomes beyond that articulated in planning. The timely closure of international borders, requiring 14-day quarantine of returning travellers in designated facilities, is one such outcome; yet potentially the single most effective measure in controlling the pandemic in Australia. Our testing strategy, case and contact management, social restrictions and community measures have successfully suppressed the virus to a level of no domestic community transmission. The framework for this success was the effective utilisation of existing public health committees, whole of government leadership and responsiveness at all levels and community support. With the impending commencement of the COVID-19 vaccine program, this framework continues to support navigating our way out of the pandemic.
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