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Over the last four weeks there were 70,588 cases of COVID in the region, and over the last week there has been an decrease of 187. COVID infections are continuing to place severe strain on the heath system and on primary care providers.
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 coronvirus@b-hugocesphn-com-au
Vaccination for children aged 6 months to under 5 years
Following the Therapeutic Goods Administration’s (TGA) approval of the Moderna vaccine for children aged 6 months to 5 years, the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) recommends COVID-19 vaccination for children aged 6 months to under 5 years with severe immunocompromise, disability, and those who have complex and/or multiple health conditions which increase the risk of severe COVID-19.
The recommendation is for 2 primary doses, except for those children with severe immunocompromise who will require 3 primary doses. The recommended interval between each dose is 8 weeks. At this stage, ATAGI does not recommend vaccination for children aged 6 months to under 5 years who are not in the risk categories for severe COVID-19. These children have a very low likelihood of severe illness from COVID-19.
Advice: Paxlovid post labelled expiry date
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) is advising that nirmatrelvir + ritonavir (PAXLOVID) tablet blister packs for the batch numbers below, can be used up to the revised (‘new’) expiry date, provided that approved storage conditions of storage below 25 °C have been maintained.
COVID-19 oral treatments and eligibility
This language set contains translations that explains who is eligible for COVID-19 oral antiviral treatments.
New COVID-19 safe behaviours campaign
A new campaign has been launched reminds people there are some easy, but important steps we can all take to help slow the spread of COVID-19, as we experience a surge of COVID-19 infections.
This includes wearing a mask and remembering to practise physical distancing and good hygiene. It also reminds people to test if they have symptoms and stay home if they have COVID-19. This campaign has three main components:
ATAGI has updated its recommendations for an additional booster dose (fourth dose) for selected population groups who are at greatest risk of severe illness from COVID-19. This quick reference guide can be used by vaccine providers to assist in identifying patients eligible for a 4th dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.
Please encourage COVID booster doses as many people in our region are not receiving maximal protection from COVID-19 see the ATAGI Latest Update . Adults aged 65 years or older who have not yet received a winter dose of COVID-19 vaccine should get this as soon as possible. Booster doses in older adults, will help reduce the number of COVID-19 related hospitalisations over the coming months.
Please consider the use of antiviral treatment in people diagnosed with COVID-19, including in people aged 50 years and above and reinforce messages on mask wearing.
The interval between the first booster and the winter booster (4th dose) has been reduced to 3 months (from 4 months) to provide earlier protection from the additional vaccine during winter.
COVID at Home visiting service
We encourage GPs to refer to the COVID@Home Service which provides an ‘in-home’ assessment service delivered by a Registered Nurse with the support of a GP.
This service is for 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.Find out more about the service and how to refer. If you have any enquiries, contact coronavirus@cesphn.com.au.
Free infection control advice on Zoom
We are 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 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.
All Vax at Home Service 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.
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.
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.
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.
Welcome to our new website! As you may have noticed, our website looks different. Central and Eastern Sydney PHN have moved to a new site and although much has remained the same, we have introduced some new functions. These include: Updated navigation When you land on our new website, you…
COVID-19 weekly update – 25 JANUARY 2023 COVID-19 cases in the region The number of reported COVID cases in our region has decreased over the last week and there are declines in hospital presentations, and residential aged care facility outbreaks. Infection control and wearing masks (staff and patients) is still…
FIVE QUESTIONS is where we ask members of the community to talk about how they stay HEALTHY. One Door Mental Health CEO Kathi Boorman shared this: 1. What exercise did you do yesterday? Most mornings, I get up at around 5 am and exercise for 30 minutes on my exercise…
Australian Digital Health Agency (ADHA) digital health foundations webinars The meaningful use of digital health in Australia is underpinned by healthcare organisations connecting to the Healthcare Identifiers (HI) service. This four-part webinar series will provide managers of medical practices, community pharmacies and other healthcare organisations with an understanding of the…
Palliative Care Resource Pack for Primary Care CareSearch has just released the Primary Health Care Resource Pack containing: communication starters, forms for assessing deterioration, forms to assess carer needs, a checklist of PBS prescriber medicines that can be used in terminal care, a practical checklist to guide and support a…
Palliative Care Resources for GPs CareSearch has now released printable versions of the reference guides to help GPs navigate CareSearch resources. These guides will direct you to actionable, relevant, evidence-based CareSearch resources to assist you in providing palliative care, including to specific populations. You can either download or order for…
New care finder services to assist older people in central and eastern Sydney The Central and Eastern Sydney Primary Health Network (CESPHN) is establishing a care finder program on behalf of the Australian Government. This follows recommendations from the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, which called for…