Bluff Road Bulletin COVID 19 2022 Update

Thank you for your patience over this turbulent time due to COVID-19. As you are aware, there have been multiple changes about what to do and how best to report your status, if you test positive for COVID-19.

For this reason, we have provided the following to help answer some common questions and concerns.

Booking Appointments 

• Please where possible/if not urgent book all appointments online using HotDoc via our website 
• As the greater health sector becomes increasingly under stress, Ambulance Victoria has advised where possible to call your GP for any health concerns
• Most COVID-19 illness will be mild and able to be managed safely at home.
• For this reason, if you are experiencing less urgent symptoms booking online allows us to triage urgent cases who are calling us.
• For urgent cases if you are not able to get through you can either request a call back instead of waiting on hold or alternatively ring Nurse on Call (1300 60 60 24)

Face to Face or Telehealth appointments 

Like the rest of the community, our clinic is also impacted by staff reductions (e.g. needing to isolate). For this reason, we ask that you book in person appointments only if essential. If you are symptomatic of a cough, runny nose, sore throat, or fever, please book a telehealth appointment.

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Online appointments 

Whilst we would normally recommend continuity of care, if your preferred doctor does not have any available appointments on the day, please consider booking with an alternate doctor or when they are next available. Ringing reception to double check, will lead to the same advice being offered.

If you test positive on a Rapid Antigen Test (RAT)  

• Please report online or call 1800 675 398 (DO NOT call your GP as previously advised by media).

• You no longer need to confirm your positive RAT with a PCR test, nor require an exit test after isolation.

• You must isolate for 7 days and tell your household/close contacts (people you have spent more than 4 hours with) to isolate for 7 days.

• These contacts must get tested on Day 1 of their isolation period with a RAT or PCR test and again on Day 6. If this test is negative on Day 6, then after Day 7 their isolation period ends.

• Keep your fluids up, rest, if you have a fever/headaches/joint aches take paracetamol or ibuprofen and take lozenges or gargle if you have a sore throat.

• The QLD government has provided a useful symptom tracker tool which can be downloaded here. If you have trouble breathing – use a watch and count how many breaths, you take every minute. Please call us if you are having trouble breathing (for example can’t walk around the house and talk at the same time or if you can’t speak more than a few words at a time).
• Be aware that for some people symptoms can last for up to 3-4 weeks or longer.

Staying safe

Face masks are now required indoors (except at home) for everyone aged 8 years and above unless an exception applies. We also strongly recommend that you wear a face mask outdoors if you can’t physically distance.

COVID Vaccine Booster/Urgent information

The situation is rapidly changing along with the resulting government advice. Please follow our social media sites on Facebook and Instagram, or our covid-19 webpage to stay ahead of any new covid vaccination session releases. Any additional vaccine or booster sessions will all be done via online bookings, so by following us online you can be alerted rather than calling the clinic.

Be Kind

We are all in this together so remember to be kind to yourself and others. It is normal to feel frustration or anger during this time but try to focus on anything that makes you happy. The Kindness Pandemic is a good online resource where you can look at posts highlighting campaigns promoting positivity.

Lastly, as the situation is changing rapidly, we endeavour to bring you updated advice where possible. Please follow our social media sites on Facebook and Instagram to stay ahead of any changing and urgent information from Bluff Road Medical.