House Call Doctor has responded to more than 60 cases of flu across the Gold Coast since Good Friday with 15 of those calls being children with flu-like symptoms.
The latest stats have added weight to calls by health authorities for locals to get their flu jabs as a matter of urgency as the city braces itself for another winter flu season.
House Call Doctor’s Dr Ryan Harvey said the 60 cases were treated mainly in Hope Island, Currumbin Waters and Molendinar.
He warned the flu-like symptoms corresponded with a drop in temperature.
“As winter approaches, we are urging our patients be aware of the risk of contracting the flu and we recommend they take preventative measures to stay on top of their general health,” he said.
“The influenza virus is an airborne illness, most commonly passed on when people cough and release small droplets into the air.
“These droplets contain the virus and can land on people or surfaces, where it can easily be picked up. It is highly contagious,” he warned.
House Call Doctor’s general manager James Wood said the service performed 3500 home visits over the Easter/ANZAC Day break across Queensland and in Northern NSW.
“Many GPs have had a well-earned rest on the public holidays and we’ve been able to help fill the gap so that those who fall ill aren’t attending emergency departments.”
House Call Doctor has made more than 600,000 visits to homes, hotels, aged care facilities and nursing homes since it started in April 2015. It is Queensland’s largest after-hours home doctor service.
Original Source: Gold Coast Sun | 8 May 2019
Also published in: Gold Coast Bulletin, The Advertiser, Herald Sun, Courier Mail, Cairns Post, Daily Telegraph, Northern Territory News, The Mercury, Townsville Bulletin and Geelong Advertiser.
