SYDNEY, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- The Australian state government of New South Wales (NSW) has told individuals and businesses to prepare for a possible COVID-19 pandemic, warning that the novel virus is likely to converge with the winter flu season in the coming months, placing extreme pressure on the state's healthcare system.
Speaking at a media conference on Thursday, NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard said although the state health department has made extensive plans to control the virus that has claimed the lives of around 2,800 people and infected more than 80,000 others across the world, it is up to every individual to take preventative measures.
"Simple hygiene measures like regular hand washing, sneezing into your elbow and, most importantly, staying home when sick, will not only help ease emergency department presentations for flu but also support existing COVID-19 pandemic plans," he said.
"Businesses also need to review their continuity plans now. Look at strategies for keeping workers safe with simple measures such as alcohol hand rub in the workplace, stress the importance of staying home when sick, and use technologies that allow people to work from home where necessary."
"We also ask everyone to please see your GP for minor illnesses and injuries where possible, to ensure we keep our emergency departments for emergencies only, particularly as we head into the busy flu season."
The state's Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant said the rate of infection around the globe highlights how quickly the virus can pass from person to person.
"We know from managing past pandemics, including influenza, that unless everyone is onboard from the start -- government, business and the community -- it makes our task that much harder," she said.
"We have been prudently planning and regularly reviewing everything from emergency departments and intensive care capacity, staff capacity and training and supplies of critical medical equipment to streamlining how we manage patients with acute respiratory illness."
"While the few COVID-19 cases in NSW to date have been mild, the global spread of the virus, coupled with flu season fast approaching, means the situation for our hospitals could change quickly so we're asking everyone to plan now."
