Updated criteria for suspected cases
The Communicable Diseases Network Australia National guidelines for public health units have updated the criteria for a suspected case.
Changes include:
- Additional criteria for symptomatic healthcare workers who have had direct patient contact (criteria C below)
- Change from casual and close contact to only close contact in criteria A.
A suspected case is currently defined as meeting the criteria in any of the three categories below:
A. If the patient satisfies epidemiological and clinical criteria
Epidemiological criteria
- International travel in the 14 days before illness onset
OR
- Close contact* in 14 days before illness onset with a confirmed case of COVID-19.
*a close contact is defined as requiring EITHER greater than 15 minutes face-to-face contact in any setting with a confirmed case in the period extending from 24 hours before onset of symptoms in the confirmed case, OR sharing of a closed space with a confirmed case for a prolonged period (e.g. more than 2 hours) in the period extending from 24 hours before onset of symptoms in the confirmed case.
AND Clinical criteria
OR
- Acute respiratory infection (e.g. shortness of breath, cough, sore throat) with or without fever.
B. If the patient has severe bilateral community-acquired pneumonia (critically ill*) and no other cause is identified, with or without recent international travel, they are classified as a suspect case.
*requiring care in ICU/HDU, or for patients in which ICU care is not appropriate, respiratory or multiorgan failure. Clinical judgement should be exercised considering the likelihood of COVID-19.
C.If any healthcare worker with direct patient contact has a fever (≥37.5) AND an acute respiratory infection (e.g. shortness of breath, cough, sore throat), they are classified as a suspect case.
ALL international travellers now required to self-isolate
All travellers who arrive in Australia after 15 March must self-isolate for a period of 14 days after they have entered Australia.
Any person who thinks they may have been in close contact with a confirmed case of coronavirus, is also required to self-isolate for 14 days.
See Department of Health fact sheets:
Medicolegal concerns
The RACGP understands the pressures faced by our members with patients being directed to general practices for assessment and testing during the current COVID-19 situation. We know GPs have concerns regarding their obligations to patient care. For specific advice, you will need to contact your medical defence organisation.
Caring for yourself and colleagues
It is important during times such as these, GPs and practice staff take time to care for themselves and take the opportunity to debrief with colleagues.
If you require additional support, services are available, specifically developed for doctors.
You can access support via the DRS4DRS website and state/territory based helplines. DRS4DRS is an independent program providing confidential support and resources to doctors and medical students across Australia, by doctors.
Australian Capital Territory 02 9437 6552
New South Wales 02 9437 6552
Northern Territory 08 8366 0250
Queensland 07 3833 4352
South Australia 08 8366 0250
Tasmania 1800 991 997
Victoria 03 9280 8712
Western Australia 08 9321 3098
You can also contact the RACGP GP Support Program. This is a free and confidential psychological support service available to all members, delivered by LifeWorks by Morneau Shepell. Access the service by calling 1300 361 008 (24 hours/7 days).
RACGP Events
The RACGP Board has taken the difficult decision to postpone the 2020 Practice Owners National Conference due to concerns around the spread of COVID-19.
The health and wellbeing of our GP members and their ability to continue to support the community response to COVID-19 is the top priority. The conference will be rescheduled to a date to be determined in 2021.
The hackathons planned to commence in Sydney this weekend have also been postponed to a date to be determined later in 2020 or in 2021.
Other major events will be considered by the RACGP Board later this week.
Podcast episodes on COVID-19
Your colleagues from The Good GP and Just a GP podcasts are producing COVID-19 relevant episodes. The first two from The Good GP team that may be of interest are: