The relief sector wants more help from the government in connection with the pandemic

Aid sector leaders want the new Albanian government to do more to step up the fight against COVID-19.

The Catholic Health Australia provider says its institutions need support in reimbursing the extra costs of preventing viral infections that are not reimbursed by the Commonwealth if there is no outbreak.

“Our members congratulate Anthony Albanese on his election and thank the coalition government and Scott Morrison for their public service,” said CEO Pat Garcia.

“There is always a long list of pressing issues facing any government that has arrived, but providing quality charitable assistance to our older people must be at the top.”

The Australian Co-operation for the Elderly wants the new Prime Minister to highlight the reform of the COVID-19-affected sector as a priority during his first 100 days in office.

The peak team says its concerns should also be included in any talks in the coming days and weeks.

The Pharmacy Guild of Australia has also decided to enlist the support of Labor for the role played by community chemists in the fight against the pandemic.

Acting President Nick Panayaris says pharmacists can further contribute to the deployment of vaccination in Australia and ease the pressure on the health care system.

“We need to see that pharmacists are working full time,” he said.

“They are currently underutilized, and by allowing them to provide the full range of services they are trained in, it will help ease the pressure on doctors, hospitals and emergency departments while maintaining community health.”

The early round of lobbying comes amid more than 38,000 new infections reported across Australia on Sunday, as well as 20 deaths related to the virus.

Nearly 2,800 patients are hospitalized across the country, more than a hundred – in intensive care.

Of the nearly 380,000 active cases of coronavirus across Australia, almost 80 per cent are in New Wales (133,000), Western Australia (91,000) and Victoria (75,000).