Thread by @MargaretSimons

Yesterday (see thread) I Tweeted a story about residents of the Flemington and North Melbourne public housing towers not being moved to alternative accommodation, which community leaders feared put others at risk. I had put questions to @VicGovDHHS

This is of particular concern, because if the schedule for #33Alfred street still holds, those residents will move to Stage 3 restrictions tomorrow, presumably with positive COVID cases still expected to observe quarantine.

I now have the response. I am afraid it won't answer everyone's questions. Read to end of thread for followup. But here is the DHHS statement in full:

DHHS: "Tenant health and safety is the department’s priority as we work to slow the spread of coronavirus in the community together.

DHHS: "The department continues to work across government and with local leaders and the community services sector to source and offer alternative accommodation for any tenants who wish to be relocated temporarily.

DHHS: "A decision has been made not to place security personnel on each floor of high rises at Flemington and North Melbourne due to rigorous infection control protocols.

DHHS: "Local Police are door knocking apartments of residents who have tested positive to ensure that they are isolating as required.

DHHS: "This is part of an assertive community engagement approach which includes clear public messaging on isolation requirements and health restrictions. In addition, there are police on site where required.

DHHS: "The department continues to provide information to residents with material in more than 12 languages to ensure all residents understand what they need to do to stay safe and protect their community.

DHHS: "We continue to reach out to residents to ensure they have easy access to testing. We have worked to make testing accessible for residents and we continue to work with residents and community leaders, and volunteers, government colleagues and community agencies to provide..

DHHS: ".. information to tenants, and to keep residents and their families safe.

DHHS: "There are currently a total of 189 active cases across the North Melbourne and Flemington high rises. Nine public housing towers in North Melbourne and Flemington were placed into lockdown on 4 July after 23 cases across more than 12 households were identified the housing

DHHS: " estates [sic]. Testing of all residents at the towers has been undertaken.
Two field emergency management units were established at the North Melbourne and Flemington sites – staffed by medical workers, GPs and nurses, ...

DHHS: "..with pharmacotherapy and medicines – to provide onsite care for residents at the public housing estates.

DHHS: "This includes mental health and drug and alcohol support from both peer-support workers and clinicians. Importantly we are working closely with community groups and local health organisations that already have established relationships with those who live in the estates.

DHHS: "The Inner North coronavirus (COVID-19) Response Line will provide information and support to the residents in the restricted postcodes and public housing estates. Further information is available on 1800 961 054 with an interpreter service available on 131 450"

That concludes the @VicGovDHHS statement. What follows is my commentary. First, it doesn't really address the concerns expressed yesterday by community leaders. Why have only 19 people been moved to alternative accommodation out of 189 active cases (previously advised as 243 ..

...so presumably some have recovered?). What does the reference to working across government etc mean? Are there not enough hotel rooms etc which was the accommodation previously mentioned as being on offer?

The comment about security personnel on each floor is a response to Mr Elhadi Abbass's suggestion, see yesterday's twitter thread.

Local police door knocking - of course this is also in place for those in quarantine in the wider community. But in this community in particular my guess is that it isn't the best way to seek compliance and trusting collaboration with the "assertive" approach.

I plan to ask some follow up questions today. If anyone has questions they would like to suggest, my DMs are open.