Meet Canberra's 'disease detectives' on the coronavirus case

Daniella White
Updated April 24 2020 - 7:35pm, first published April 19 2020 - 4:30am
Contact tracing team case manager Sue Reid, public health registrar Dr Naomi Clarke and epidemiologist Tim Sloan-Gardner are a key part of the ACT's fight against coronavirus. Picture: Sitthixay Ditthavong
Contact tracing team case manager Sue Reid, public health registrar Dr Naomi Clarke and epidemiologist Tim Sloan-Gardner are a key part of the ACT's fight against coronavirus. Picture: Sitthixay Ditthavong

In an unassuming office building in Woden, a group of dedicated "disease detectives" are on the COVID-19 case. There's no PPE and much of their work is done over the phone, but it's lifesaving stuff. It's their work - along with the public's cooperation - which will determine whether Canberra's health system will be able to manage the pandemic, or whether there will be scenes reminiscent of New York and Milan. They are the team behind the ACT's extensive contact tracing. The method is old school but tried and tested, and in the absence of a vaccine provides the best chance of suppressing the virus to sustainable levels.

Subscribe now for unlimited access.

$0/

(min cost $0)

or signup to continue reading

See subscription options
Daniella White

ACT politics and health reporter Contact me with tips, story ideas, or just to have a chat, at daniella.white@canberratimes.com.au

Get the latest Canberra news in your inbox

Sign up for our newsletter to stay up to date.

We care about the protection of your data. Read our Privacy Policy.