COVID-19 weekly update – 28 September 2022

COVID-19 cases in the region

Over the last four weeks there were 7,242 cases of COVID in the region and the number of cases is continuing to decline. However please continue to urge vigilance and maintain adherence to infection control protocols.  

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. 

Infection control and wearing masks (staff and patients) is critically important. Practices are 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, email coronavirus@cesphn.com.au

PIP In-reach vaccination payments

On 29 March 2022 the Australian Government announced that the in-reach vaccination incentive would be extended to 31 December 2022.

The PIP In-reach vaccination payment is a time limited payment to support general practices that undertake in-reach COVID-19 vaccination services for residential aged care and disability workers in their place of work, and residents in aged care or disability support settings.

The COVID-19 In-reach Vaccination Payment is available for: 

• In-reach COVID-19 vaccination services provided to aged care and disability support workers from 29 April 2021 until 31 December 2022.  
• In-reach COVID-19 vaccination services provided to aged care and disability residents from 1 November 2021 until 31 December 2022. 

A minimum of 50 cumulative COVID-19 vaccine assessment services must be provided for residential aged care or disability support workers as part of an in-reach COVID-19 vaccination clinic in a residential aged care or disability support setting between 29 April 2021 and 31 December 2022. Incentives for residents can only be accessed from 1 November 2021, and after the threshold for workers is reached.

To be eligible to receive incentive payments, primary care providers must report the relevant details for each facility visited, and number of individuals vaccinated. There is a two-part reporting and verification process that needs to be completed: 

•  CLAIMING: General practices and CVCs should report through the COVID-19 Vaccine Administrative System (CVAS) on the In-reach Vaccination Reporting page.  
• VERIFICATION: The primary care provider must fill out a Clinic Summary Report and have a representative from the facility sign the report. The Clinic Summary Report must then be sent to CESPHN at: coronavirus@cesphn.com.au

To assist with the verification process we highly recommend your practice to liaise with the RACFs and Disability Care sites to complete the Clinic Summary Report as soon as possible. 

If you have any questions, please contact CESPHN at coronavirus@cesphn.com.au

COVID-19 Oral treatments fact sheet

This fact sheet provides comprehensive information on COVID-19 oral antiviral treatments including eligibility, education, and access details.

https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/covid-19-oral-treatments-fact-sheet

COVID-19 oral treatments

Plan and discuss treatment options for COVID-19 with your health professional if you’re in these high-risk groups: 

• 70 years and older
• 50 years or older with 2 risk factors
• A First Nations person 30 years or older with 2 risk factors
• 18 years or older and immunocompromised.

Learn more about eligibility here.

Webinar about COVID-19 vaccination for children aged 6 months to under 5 years

Hear from Dr Lucas de Toca on COVID-19 vaccination for children aged 6 months to under 5 years, the Moderna bivalent vaccine, as well as changes to mask mandates and isolation periods.

You can watch the video here.

Ordering process for PPE

PPE Living with COVID Bundle orders can only be placed once per month: 

• Per provider number and 
• Per practice under the Emergency Provision

These orders are to be submitted to CESPHN via the online order form.

Please read the guidance document before placing your order:

Access to PPE from the National Medical Stockpile is dependent on eligibility, and PPE volumes will be monitored by the Commonwealth Department of Health.

Living with COVID PPE Bundles are available for:

• GPs, ACCHS and GPRCs willing to manage COVID positive patients face-to-face.
• 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.
• GPs and GPRCs willing to support COVID positive people virtually, and respiratory patients face to face.

Free infection control advice on Zoom

CESPHN is offering specialised one-on-one Zoom consultations with an experienced primary care infection control educator to assist with infection control procedures. 

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.

To book a session, email 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.

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

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.

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.

Accessing pulse oximeters for your patients

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.