AN extra 50 beds may be added to the existing 160 at Wangaratta's public hospital to cope with an influx of coronavirus patients.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Northeast Health Wangaratta director David Kidd flagged the plan on Wednesday as Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said 4000 new intensive care beds would be put in the state's public hospitals to meet COVID-19 demand.
Albury and Wangaratta hospitals each have six ICU beds and it's unclear how many more they may get.
Mr Kidd could not say how many Wangaratta would like and Albury Wodonga Health pandemic chief Sally Squire said her service was aiming to "secure an appropriate share of the additional 4000 ICU beds and related equipment".
Mr Kidd said overall Northeast Health was planning to devote a further 50 beds, with potential coronavirus patients coming from as far away as Mansfield, Bright and Yarrawonga.
He said in a worst-case scenario the hospital's cafeteria area could be used for clinical needs.
IN OTHER NEWS:
Meanwhile, member for Albury Justin Clancy wants Border firms to consider devoting their production to medical goods.
"Hand sanitiser, hand wash soap, gloves, cleaning products, protective clothing, masks, eyewear and paper products are now in such high demand," Mr Clancy said.
"The NSW Government is now calling on local businesses in the Albury electorate to convert their production lines to make these products to fill the gap."
He urged businesses to register their interest at www.nsw.gov.au or contact his office for more detail.
The number of coronavirus cases reported in the Riverina and North East on Wednesday rose slightly with one each in Benalla, Berrigan and Federation council areas.
The Bright Medical Centre has identified a case of a person self-isolating in Alpine Shire, but officially that area has no cases recorded.
It is unclear why the instance has not been included in the public record.