NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant has written a letter to all GPs outlining several important changes to the management of COVID-19.
Some key points are copied below.
Changes to the self-isolation period for people with COVID-19
Patients with COVID-19 can leave isolation if at least 7 days (previously 10 days) have passed since their positive test and they have not had respiratory symptoms during the last 24 hours of their isolation period.
Changes to exposure risk assessment
Changes have occurred to increase the focus on high-risk exposures, such as households.
Any person who resides in the same house as a COVID-positive person must isolate for 7 days from the last time they were in contact with the COVID-positive person. Exemptions are in place for certain critical workers, if the risk of household contacts returning to the workplace is appropriately managed.
Testing for COVID-19
People with COVID-19 symptoms should seek rapid antigen testing in the first instance.
People who test positive on a rapid antigen test (RAT) should be managed as confirmed COVID-19 where they have:
- symptoms consistent with COVID-19
- had a moderate or high-risk exposure to someone with COVID-19 (regardless of symptoms)
- travelled internationally within the last 14 days.
People who test positive on a rapid antigen test but are asymptomatic and do not have a moderate or high-risk exposure or recent international travel are advised to have another rapid antigen test 24-hours after their first positive result or a PCR test.
A GP can request PCR testing where it will assist with managing a patient’s clinical care. Where someone may benefit from therapeutic interventions, it is important that care is not delayed by lack of access to a timely PCR. A positive RAT result is sufficient for consideration of early therapeutic intervention.
Clinical support for general practitioners
The NSW Health COVID-19 Care at Home Support Line (1800 960 933) now includes an Interactive Voice Recording menu option specifically for GPs, allowing calls from GPs to be prioritised for timely access to COVID-19 resources, advice and support. When calling this 1800 number, please press 4 to be fast-tracked to the clinical line.
Dr Chant’s letter also covers:
- Change in de-isolation notification
- Service NSW RAT self-reporting
- People re-exposed to COVID-19 within 28 days of recovery from COVID-19
Read the full text of Dr Chant’s letter (PDF, 150KB).