Up to 80% of infected Victorian healthcare workers contracted COVID-19 at work The new statistics are vastly different to earlier government estimates of 15–20% and could increase, with hundreds of cases still under investigation.
PPE debate continues as expert accuses authorities of following ‘false narratives’ One of Australia’s foremost infectious disease physicians says healthcare workers are being put at undue risk of coronavirus infection by current PPE guidelines.
Spiking COVID infections in healthcare trigger urgent calls for better infection control The number of coronavirus-infected healthcare workers in Victoria has passed 1000 – and is increasing every day.
GPs given advice on mental health, PPE and vulnerable patients Senior health department officials have answered GPs’ pressing questions about Australia’s COVID-19 response.
Victoria has strengthened PPE requirements for aged care – should other states follow suit? GPs in aged care must now wear surgical masks and goggles at all times, while N95 masks are required for treating suspected COVID-19 cases.
GPs call for better protection as two of their own battle COVID Calls are mounting for health authorities to better protect primary care professionals, with almost 1000 Australian healthcare workers infected and multiple GPs hospitalised with COVID-19.
Financial stress and lack of PPE affecting GPs’ mental health newsGP speaks to the lead researcher of the latest Health Sector Report, examining COVID-19’s impact on work patterns and mental health.
Infection fears for GPs in COVID-19 hotspots Hundreds of hospital staff are currently in quarantine due to potential exposure to coronavirus, and GPs in hotspot areas are still ‘scrounging’ to source their own supply of PPE.
Victorian GPs urgently call for coronavirus location data as state braces for fresh surge GPs want as much data as possible to help protect their patients and themselves as the state braces for a second wave.
Face masks slash infection rates – but don’t give up on distancing: Study Researchers say this demonstrates transmission of the virus is dominantly via airborne spread, but some experts disagree.