Western Australia is supporting Victoria’s response to the significant spike of COVID-19 cases in that State.
Former Chief Health Officer of the Western Australian Department of Health, Tarun Weeramanthri (pictured) has been deployed to Victoria after assisting the Western Australian Department of Premier and Cabinet in a health liaison role during the pandemic.
Premier, Mark McGowan said Professor Weeramanthri was one of Western Australia’s most skilled experts, and would be seconded to Victoria’s Health and Human Services for an initial four-week period.
“His role is likely to include a rostered period of relief for the Chief Health Officer and Deputy Chief Health Officer, leadership for Government and media briefings, and operational oversight of outbreak management and contact tracing work,” Mr McGowan said.
“Professor Weeramanthri has contributed to many national disaster and health responses, including the 2009 influenza pandemic, the Ashmore Reef disaster, Mumbai bombings, Pakistan floods, and major earthquakes in Indonesia and Papua New Guinea.”
Mr McGowan said contact tracing teams from the Western Australian Department of Health were also remotely assisting Victoria by establishing key information about cases and identifying close contacts.
“The escalation in COVID-19 cases in Victoria is a major concern and we are now assisting with their contact tracing,” Mr McGowan said.
“We have also offered additional support, if required,” he said.
“The evolving situation in Victoria is a timely reminder of how easily the virus can start spreading — we all have a personal responsibility here in WA to practice good hygiene and keep following the health guidelines, now more than ever,” the Premier said.
