COVID-19 update – 29 June 2022

COVID-19 cases in the region

Over the last four weeks there were 38,223 cases of COVID in the region, and over the last week there has been an increase of nearly 2,400 new cases. Please note that the actual number of cases is likely to be much more. For further information please go to the latest NSW COVID statistics.   

We are particularly concerned that some vulnerable population groups such as older people have not received their full course of COVID vaccinations. Younger children are being significantly impacted by influenza and other respiratory illnesses 

Infection control and wearing masks (staff and patients) remains important. Practices are also asked to ensure that their most vulnerable populations are fully vaccinated and where possible to ensure children with respiratory illnesses get access to care. If you would like an infectious control consultation or any other support, please email

Please help our Emergency Departments

A growing number of patients with respiratory illnesses are presenting to EDs in our region. We are encouraging patients with respiratory symptoms to be seen by a GP when required, especially the elderly and children.

To try and reduce unnecessary burden on our EDs, GPs should consider facilitating either telehealth or in person consultation for patients with respiratory symptoms. When in person consultation is indicated, the patient should be given a surgical mask and hand sanitiser and practice staff should wear eye protection and a mask.

Minimum recommended testing for RAT negative symptomatic patients is COVID-19/influenza A/respiratory syncytial virus. Please consider early antiviral treatment for high-risk patients with confirmed influenza or COVID-19.

New evidence: boosters protect against Omicron

An Australian-first COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness study has shown that receipt of a booster (third) COVID-19 vaccine dose provided 65 per cent greater protection against hospitalisation or death from Omicron than two vaccine doses. The NCIRS study followed over 2 million adults aged 40 years and over living in Greater Sydney during the peak of the Omicron wave in Australia in January and February 2022 for SARS-CoV-2 infection, hospitalisation and death.

COVID home visiting service – open for referrals

Central and Eastern Sydney PHN has recently launched a COVID home visiting service. The COVID@Home Service provides an in-home assessment service delivered by a Registered Nurse with the support of a GP. We are encouraging GPs to refer to this service. 

This service is aimed at COVID positive patients whose regular GP is not able to undertake home visits but where such a visit is required for medical and other support reasons while the patient is isolating. Referrals will only be accepted from GPs. Click here to find out more about the service and how to refer. If you have any enquiries please contact coronavirus@cesphn.com.au.

Vaccination campaigns

 ‘Kids will be kids’ COVID-19 vaccine campaign

On 24 June, the latest phase of the COVID-19 campaign was launched to encourage parents of children aged 5 to 15 to book their child’s COVID-19 vaccination. The ‘Kids will be kids’ campaign highlights the benefits of getting a COVID-19 vaccination to protect children against COVID-19. View the campaign materials.

Take on winter COVID-19 and flu vaccine campaign

On 23 June, the latest phase of the COVID-19 campaign was launched to encourage Australians to get up to date with their COVID-19 vaccination and receive their flu vaccination this winter. The new ‘Take on winter’ campaign reminds people we are more vulnerable to illnesses this year and it’s safe to have both COVID-19 and influenza vaccinations at the same time. View the campaign materials. 

Free infection control advice

We are offering specialised one-on-one consultation with an experienced primary care infection control educator. This consult via Zoom will enable your practice to ensure the highest level of infection control procedures can be implemented to provide protection from circulating viral infections such as COVID-19 and Influenza.

Ensuring the health and wellbeing of your practice and staff, as well as seeking that patients’ are seen when required to reduce unnecessary ED presentations is of utmost importance during this difficult time.

To book a session email your interest to coronavirus@cesphn.com.au with the subject line: “Yes I would like infection control advice”. 

CESPHN Vax at Home service

The CESPHN Vax at Home Service is for those people who are housebound and not able to leave their house to receive a COVID-19 vaccination or booster. The service will accept referrals for people 16 years and over. Referrals will be accepted from GPs and from Local Health Districts. Patient self-referrals will not be accepted.

An additional winter booster is recommended for other people at increased risk of severe illness, to be given 4 months after their first booster dose. The Winter Dose is recommended for people for the following vulnerable groups:

• Aged 65 years or older
• Severely immunocompromised
• Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander and aged 50 years and older
• Aged 16 to 64 and with a medical condition that increases the risk of severe COVID-19 illness
• Aged 16 to 64 with disability with significant or complex health needs or multiple comorbidities which increase risk of poor outcome.

The Vax at Home Service currently has availability to support patients to access the COVID-19 vaccine whilst in their home and unable to leave their home to receive a COVID-19 vaccine.

All referrals must be sent through this Vax at Home Service Online Form. Please also indicate if an influenza vaccine is also required. Please note, a referral will need to be attached to the online form.For further information on the program, please contact us.

New ordering process for PPE

Access to PPE is now via Living with COVID PPE Bundles ordered nationally through PHNs using an online order form and delivered directly by a national distributor (rather than via PHNs). Access to PPE from the National Medical Stockpile is dependent on eligibility, and PPE volumes will be monitored by the Commonwealth Department of Health.

General Practice, ACCHS and GPRCs ordering information

Living with COVID PPE Bundles are available for:

• GP, ACCHS and GPRCs willing to manage COVID positive patients face-to-face, until 30 September 2022.
• ACCHSs and rural and remote GPs willing to treat COVID positive patients virtually and respiratory patients face-to-face, where workforce capacity is limited AND the GP is serving the community for most of all health needs, until 30 September 2022.
• GPs and GPRCs willing to support COVID positive people virtually, and respiratory patients face to face, until 30 September 2022.

Orders can only be placed once per month and be submitted to the PHN via the online form.

Please read the guidance document before placing your first order:

• GP, ACCHS and GPRC: Completing New PPE Order Form Guide
• GP, ACCHA and GPRC online ordering form 

PPE for the health workforce during COVID-19

PPE for COVID-19 includes surgical masks, particulate filter respirators (such as P2 or N95), gloves, goggles, glasses, face shields, gowns and aprons. For more information go to COVID PPE Information for Health Professionals.

Upcoming webinars

GP weekly webinar: booster doses and influenza vaccines: This week’s Department of Health webinar will be discussing the third and fourth doses of COVID-19 vaccines and the influenza vaccines.

When: Thursday 30 June 2022 at 11.30 am

Where: Online

Target audience: GPs and all health professionals

Register:Click link to join webinar

Healthed webcast: COVID expert update with A/Prof Nick Wood

When: Tuesday 5 July 2022 at 7.00 pm

Where: Online

Targetaudience: GPs and all health professionals

Register: Click link to join

Vaccine acceptance in general practice: This webinar will take a case-based approach to address low vaccine confidence and provide strategies to identify and engage patients who refuse vaccines. Presented by A/Prof Holly Seale (Social Scientist) and Dr Damian Flanagan (GP).

When: Wednesday 6 July 2022 at 7.00 pm – 8.00 pm AND Thursday 7 July 2022 at 1.00 pm to 2.00 pm

Where: Online

Target audience: GPs

Register: Register here

Accessing pulse oximeters for your patient

• Individual patients– we have access to a small supply of oximeters. GPs with patients they believe require a pulse oximeter urgently are asked to complete this CESPHN Pulse Oximeter online form with the patients details and we will arrange delivery of an oximeter.
• General practices– practices actively seeing moderate risk COVID positive patients can also be sent up to 10 pulse oximeters per practice via the new PPE online ordering form. If your practice has already received 10 pulse oximeters via the previous process, you will need to access future stock through your local suppliers.

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