National Coronavirus Helpline Healthdirect Australia has ramped up its community information with a new National Coronavirus Helpline on 1800 020 080 to respond to inquiries on Coronavirus and symptoms. If your call is not urgent, go online to healthdirect Symptom Checker to check your symptoms. For other Coronavirus inquiries go to healthdirect.gov.au/coronavirus. There is also the Service Finder listing COVID-19 respiratory centres as they are established. A widget is available to embed on your website. The healthdirect app includes all of the above in one place. The Australian Department of Health issued a series of announcements. These are in addition to important health videos and broader official advice on the Department of Health website and include factsheets on: Guidance on isolation:
https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-isolation-guidance Identify the symptoms:
https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-identifying-the-symptoms Advice on public gatherings and visits:
https://www.health.gov.au/news/health-alerts/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov-health-alert/coronavirus-covid-19-advice-for-public-gatherings-and-visits-to-vulnerable-groups Limits on dispensing of medicines:
https://www.psa.org.au/limits-on-dispensing-to-ensure-equitable-access-of-medicines/ Pharmacy deliveries to COVID- affected and vulnerable people:
www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/covid-19-national-health-plan-primary-care-home-medicines-services-to-support-the-response-to-covid-19 National Health Plan resources announced earlier, on March 12, are at: https://www.health.gov.au/resources/collections/coronavirus-covid-19-national-health-plan-resources New Zealand’s advice site, go to: https://covid19.govt.nz/ Other developments Flu Tracker is an early warning survey, a community-based way of monitoring spread of flu, see: https://info.flutracking.net/ The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has announced a scam watch to crack down on illicit schemes to exploit community anxiety about Coronavirus including the promotion of bogus products and services. See: The Australian Government agency, Stay Smart Online, has also issued an alert warning of Covid-19 scam messages. See https://www.staysmartonline.gov.au/alert-service/covid-19-scam-messages-targeting-australians Exercise during COVID-19 outbreak According to Exercise & Sports Science Australia (ESSA), exercise is now more important than ever to help keep our population healthy. Research shows that exercise can support our immune system and our mental health. Top Tips from ESSA: - Be aware of your own health. If you do have symptoms of COVID-19, please follow the Department of Health’s directions and refrain from exercise.
- If you are nervous about attending a physical gym or exercise facility, contact the provider to understand what measures are in place for hygiene.
- If you are in self-isolation, this does not mean you have to stop exercising. In fact, this is a great time to move more and keep your body and mind healthy.
- Trust an accredited exercise professional who has the expertise and education to help you stay fit and healthy, and can work with you based on your current health and existing conditions.
CHF actions CHF has been in direct and regular contact with Minister Hunt and Professor Murphy. Our focus has been to support the public communications effort ensuring factual information is widely available and advocating for additional ways to support general practice capacity to respond. We have supported expanding telehealth so that healthcare providers can have immediate access to telehealth for treatment of all patients, not just for screening and treatment of potential COVID-19 cases. This will help minimise spread and ensure that consumers with other pressing needs can access timely care. This COVID-19 Special Bulletin has been initiated and will be sent to members on a regular basis. CHF’s office remains open: we are practicing social distancing with some staff working remotely and others in the office. Patient and consumer groups CHF media release: https://www.chf.org.au/media-releases/time-muster-all-health-resources-quell-covid-19 The National Asthma Council Australia has published a guide for asthma patients and carers. See: https://www.nationalasthma.org.au/news/2020/covid-19-and-your-asthma-patients Cystic Fibrosis guide: https://cfcc.org.au/covid-19-coronavirus-resources/ Advice for company directors: What your directrors should know How your Board should respond |
