COVID-19: Latest news for general practices
12 October 2023
This page is continually being added to and updated. We encourage health professionals to also view COVID-19 for Health Professionals.
COVID-19 Statistics for our region
12 October
The Australian Immunisation Handbook Update: COVID-19
As the Department of Health and Aged Care has now published a new chapter on COVID-19 in the Australian Immunisation Handbook, the ATAGI Clinical Guidance for COVID-19 vaccine providers will be archived. However COVID-19 vaccination statements will continue to be available on the ATAGI page.
A reminder to immunisation providers to continue to stay up-to-date by regularly reviewing the current clinical recommendations for COVID-19 vaccines. Please ensure your practice website, resources and policies are up-to-date with the current information.
31 August
NSW Respiratory Surveillance Reports - COVID-19 and Influenza
The latest NSW respiratory surveillance report (week ending 26 August 2023) indicates COVID-19 activity is stable at low levels, and influenza activity has further declined and is circulating at moderate levels. RSV continues to circulate at moderate levels with a gradual decline in positivity.
7 September
Additional COVID-19 Dose for Older People
On 1 September, ATAGI announced an additional COVID-19 dose for older people. If it has been six months since receiving a COVID-19 vaccine, an additional dose is recommended for people aged 75 or older and should be considered for people aged 65-74. For more information, visit the Department of Health and Aged Care website.
Additional COVID-19 Dose for Older People
On 7 September 2023, ATAGI updated the COVID-19 Vaccines in Australia A3 poster, providing key differences between each COVID-19 vaccine approved for use in Australia. The recommended COVID-19 dose poster has also been updated, outlining the vaccine doses recommended for each age and population group. For more information, visit HealthPathways.
24 August
NSW Respiratory Surveillance Reports - COVID-19 and Influenza
The latest NSW respiratory surveillance report (week 33 ending 19 August 2023) indicates no change in COVID-19 and RSV activity across most indicators in the past week. Influenza notifications declined by 10%, and emergency department presentations for influenza-like illness continue to decrease. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test positivity for human metapneumovirus (HPMV), rhinovirus and parainfluenza in respiratory specimens continues to increase.
17 August
NSW Respiratory Surveillance Reports COVID-19 and Influenza
The latest NSW respiratory surveillance report (week ending 12 August 2023) indicates a small increase in COVID-19 notifications in the past week, however there was a small decline in the proportion of ED presentations for COVID-19 requiring admission to hospital. Influenza notifications declined by 16% in the past week and notification rates and ED presentations for influenza-like illness declined. RSV activity is stable.
10 August
NSW Respiratory Surveillance Reports COVID-19 and Influenza
The latest NSW respiratory surveillance report (week 31 ending 10 August 2023) indicates COVID-19 transmission continues at low levels. In the past week, there were small declines in influenza (-8%) and RSV (-12%) notifications. Emergency department (ED) presentations and subsequent admissions for influenza-like illness and bronchiolitis were stable. There was a decline in the proportion of ED presentations for COVID-19 requiring admission. Influenza positivity on PCR testing remained close to 13%. There is increasing PCR test positivity for other respiratory viruses including rhinovirus, adenovirus, parainfluenza and human metapneumovirus.
3 August
NSW Respiratory Surveillance Reports COVID-19 and Influenza
The latest NSW respiratory surveillance report (week ending 29 July 2023) indicates a rapid decline in influenza activity, with 9% overall decline in influenza notifications. Influenza positivity in PCR tests was 12.5%. Children and young people continue to dominate influenza notification rates. RSV activity is stable and COVID-19 activity is now at low levels across all indicators however transmission is continuing to occur.
27 July
NSW Respiratory Surveillance Reports COVID-19 and Influenza
The latest NSW respiratory surveillance report (week ending 22 July 2023) Influenza continues to dominate respiratory virus notifications. This included a 27% decrease in notifications, reductions in influenza-like illness presentations to emergency departments across all age groups and a further reduction in the proportion of influenza PCR tests that return a positive result (12.6% this week compared to 17.2% for the week prior). COVID-19 and RSV activity also declined across all indicators.
healthdirect Video Call COVID-19 Program
The Department of Health and Aged Care has extended the free healthdirect Video Call COVID-19 GP Program to Sunday, 31 December 2023. Practices already registered can continue to utilise this secure service. New practices wanting to use the service must register for access. RACGP CPD accredited training in healthdirect Video Call is also available
