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.
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.
Tower lockdown ‘confusion and distress’ could have been prevented: GP Nine Melbourne public housing towers may have emerged from hard lockdown, but the focus must remain on residents’ mental health.
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.
Study links popular hypertension drug to increased skin cancer risk But experts have warned against abruptly stopping their medication as a result.
Push to devolve COVID care to GPs as Victoria faces huge caseload GPs will directly care for mild coronavirus cases under a new pilot program designed to reduce pressure on the health system as the state struggles with more than 7500 active cases.