Calls for GPs to help COVID patients notify contacts as systems groan under strain Victoria should sanction self-initiated contact tracing to slash the time taken to contact people who may have been infected, according to frustrated GPs and other top experts.
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 urged to be ‘COVID safe’ Practices operating under stage four restrictions must have a plan to limit potential coronavirus exposure – and mitigate risks should it occur.
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.
Do not use hydroxychloroquine for COVID: National Taskforce The strengthened recommendation stems from studies that show a lack of efficacy and potential harmful side effects.
Young children carry more virus – but seem to transmit less than adults or older children Children under five have far more SARS-CoV-2 in their nasopharynx, but do not transmit significantly in childcare or schools, according to new studies.
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.
RACGP Foundation awards new grants for COVID research The two grants have been awarded to GP researchers for their studies on different impacts of COVID-19 on general practice.
Inquiry finds GPs sidelined during pandemic Major shortfalls in Victoria’s COVID-19 response were highlighted just one day before the state announced its worst ever 24-hour case total.
School COVID clusters are rare – so what can we learn from the Al-Taqwa outbreak? In short: Close schools when community transmission is high, open cautiously when it is low, according to epidemiologists.