COVID-19 update – 22 September 2021

22 September 2021

COVID-19 cases in the region

Over the past two weeks to 19 September 2021 there have been 4220 locally acquired cases in the CESPHN region, a 10% increase over the previous period. The largest concentrations are in the following Local Government Areas (LGAs) Canterbury-Bankstown (1038), Sydney (824), Randwick (543), Bayside (447) Georges River (402), Inner West (245), Sutherland (197), Strathfield (178), and Canada Bay (115).  

Click here for all the latest information relating to the NSW outbreak including case locations and alerts. 

COVID-19 testing locations 

See here for information on the latest testing locations.  

Please remember to refer your patients to a GP respiratory clinic if they need a respiratory assessment. You can find contact details here. 

Vaccination update and locations

Within the region 79% of the population aged 15 and over have received one vaccine dose and 53% are fully vaccinated. 21% of the population remain unvaccinated. The number of vaccinations administered last week decreased by 6% from the previous week. Vaccination uptake is lowest in Randwick and Sydney LGAs. You can view vaccination uptake by postcode and local government area here. 

You can find vaccination options via the Vaccine Eligibility Checker. 

SESLHD has vaccination clinics open this week for vulnerable communities. Priority for the Pfizer vaccine will be given to vulnerable people under 60 who live in social housing, or are experiencing homelessness, or who are Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander or who have disability or significant health problems. AstraZeneca is available for anyone 18 years and over. No Medicare card or booking is required. 

• St Mary’s and St Joseph’s Church 
  246 Malabar Road, South Coogee 
  Open 9.30 am – 3.00 pm, Monday 20 September – Friday 24 September 
• St Matthew Anglican Church 
  1331 Botany Road (corner of Lord Street), Botany 
  Open 9.30 am – 3.00 pm, Monday 20 September – Friday 24 September 
• Club River 
  32 Littleton Street, Riverwood 
  Open 10.00 am – 4.00 pm, Monday 20 September – Friday 20 September 
• The Hub @ Lexo 
  Lexington Place, Maroubra 
  Open 9.30 am – 3.00 pm, every Friday 

Bookings are also available for people from vulnerable groups at two new Aspen Medical vaccination clinics: 

• Flourish Australia Centre 
  43 Buckingham Street, Surry Hills 
  Book here
• Alf Kay Vaccination Clinic 
  2 Florence Avenue, Eastlakes 
  Book here

Sydney LHD has three Pfizer vaccination clinics open this week: 

• For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 12 and above, open 10.00 am – 4.00 pm until Saturday, September 25 
  PCYC Marrickville  
  Steel Park, 531 Illawarra Road 
  Click here to book
• Free Pfizer vaccinations for anyone aged 16-59 
  Ultimo Community Centre 
  40 William Henry Street, Ultimo 
  Every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday (10.00 am – 4.00 pm) through September and October 
  Click here to book  
• Free Pfizer vaccinations for anyone aged 16-59 
  Green Square Library 
  355 Botany Road, Zetland 
  Open 10.00 am – 4.00 pm, Friday 24 September – Sunday 26 September 
  Click here to book

Click here for more information on further SLHD vaccination clinics. 

Belmore GPRC has a drive-through vaccination clinic open 9am – 5pm Friday, Saturday and Sunday at Belmore Sports Ground, 3 Edison Lane, Belmore until 29 October. Book here 

CESPHN Vax at Home program

We are aware that some people in our community may not be able to access a GP or vaccination hub to receive a COVID-19 vaccination.  As a result CESPHN in partnership had developed the Vax at Home program.

The CESPHN Vax at Home Program is ONLY for those people who are housebound and not able to leave their house to receive a COViD-19 vaccination (their carers will also be able to be vaccinated). The Program is ONLY being offered across Sydney Local Health District and South Eastern Local Health District.   

• Patient self-referrals will NOT be accepted. Patients should speak with their GP for referral to this program if appropriate. 
• Referrals can be accepted from General Practitioners and Disability Provider Organisations only
• Referrals for people who live in the Sydney Local Health District can be emailed to SLHD-AHCCR-InreachClinic@health.nsw.gov.au
• Referrals for people who live in the South East Sydney Local Health District can be emailed to vaxinhomesesydney@gmail.com

Referrals should include:

• Name of patient
• Date of Birth
• Patients residential address and contact details
• Name of usual GP
• Medicare details
• Contact details of any carers

This service is now operational and accepting referrals (please note there might be some delays as we respond to demand). 

COVID-19 vaccination in young adolescents 

A range of resources have been developed to support COVID-19 vaccination in young adolescents. These resources include key COVID-19 vaccine information for adolescents and parents or carers, tips for speaking to children before and after they receive a vaccine, and information on consent for parents and guardians:

• Consent for COVID-19 Vaccination – Frequently Asked Questions – Parents and Guardians
• COVID-19 vaccine information for teens and parents/guardians  
• How to speak to kids about COVID-19 vaccines

Do you require additional AstraZeneca doses?

If your practice requires additional AstraZeneca doses, please email coronavirus@cesphn.com.au. Some practices have an oversupply and we will ensure these additional doses reach those practices that need it.

Additional PPE available

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) packages including surgical and N95/P2 masks, face shields, gloves, gowns and goggles and face shields will be made available forcommunity pharmacies and those GPs who continue to see their patients within their practices. PPE guidelines can be found here.CESPHN will continue to distribute these supplies.To order PPE for your practice or pharmacyclick here.

Free infection control advice

CESPHN is pleased to offer general practices and community pharmacies the opportunity to have a specialised one-on-one consultation session with an experienced primary care infection control educator. This consult will enable your practice/pharmacy to:

• Send questions prior to the consultation session about your practice
• Ask questions on infection control that relates to your practice.

Sessions will be via ‘Zoom’ and will be up to 50 minutes in duration and can be recorded for later use. The aim of these sessions is to support practices and community pharmacies to  ensure they have the strongest infection  procedures in place, and provide tips for improvement where needed. If you would like more information or would like to book a consultation, please email your interest to coronavirus@cesphn.com.au and in the subject line write: “Yes I would like infection control advice” 

Call for GPs, pharmacists,nurses and other health professionals to assist in vaccination

We are maintaining a register of GPs, pharmacists, nurses and other allied health professionals who are available to work shifts in COVID vaccination clinics. Please complete this form if you are interested. Thank you to all those of you have already registered. 

Webinars

Join the latest Australian Government COVID-19 vaccine live stream update for GPs. The panel will provide latest key updates and answer participants’ questions live about the COVID-19 vaccine rollout. Get involved by submitting questions and comments!

Details: Thursday 23 September, 11:30am (AEDT) | Click link to join 
Catch up on previous webinars 

RACGP NSW are hosting a webinar on Medico-legal issues and the current COVID-19 vaccine program 

Details: Tuesday 28 September, 7.00-8.00pm 
Register here: https://racgp.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_kS_drwIQS2OSI0Vdvnug6Q