COVID-19 – Clinical information and resources
Advice on this page will be updated as the situation evolves and new or changed information comes to hand. New information will be highlighted. You should continue to return to this website for the latest information rather than printing/ storing local copies of fact or information sheets. Note: The information on this page is intended for clinicians only.
Latest updates, information and resources
Hotspots and travel restrictions
Escalated use of PPE in Greater Brisbane
Currently, all LGAs outside the Greater Brisbane area remain in the ‘low risk’ category for PPE use, however masks must be worn indoors and any time physical distancing is not possible. Please see this letter from Clinical Excellence Queensland for more information.
Please note that that all of Queensland has been declared a Restricted Area for the purposes of the Aged Care Direction and the Disability Accommodation Services Direction. This means that all RACFs and Disability Accommodation Services, regardless of LGA, are to implement “moderate” precautions as per this guidance.
Border restrictions: stay up to date with Queensland border restrictions here.
COVID-19 Testing – Triage and Booking Solution
Following a trial at multiple sites, the COVID-19 Testing – Booking and Triage Solution (the solution) has now been deployed across the state.
The solution prioritises those most in need of a test based on their epidemiological and clinical criteria and matches consumers with their closest and most appropriate testing provider in Queensland based on their postcode, need, and clinic capacity. The program is easy to use, can be deployed within hours, and has unequivocally delivered benefits for both clinic staff and Queenslanders needing to have a test done. For HHS implementation information, please email Dan.OHalloran@health.qld.gov.au. Consumers can find out more information via the Health Consumers Queensland website.
Testing locations
Fever clinics are set up by Queensland Health and the respective HHS to test suspected COVID cases.
Respiratory clinics have been established and contracted by the Department of Health for testing and management of respiratory symptoms.
If you aren’t conducting COVID-19 testing in your practice, we encourage you to refer patients on to private pathology, or to your nearest respiratory or fever clinic.
Please visit the Queensland Health website to find the nearest testing location.
Find previous PHN COVID-19 alerts here
Click here for up to date respiratory and fever clinic informationRequesting masks
As supplies are limited, PHNs have been given the role of distributing surgical masks to general practices (including Aboriginal Controlled Community Health Organisations) with demonstrated need, including:
- where there is no local supply available commercially
- where practices have a population which may be more likely to have been exposed to the novel coronavirus
- where practices have an unusual number of patients presenting with respiratory symptoms
Community pharmacies are eligible to access the supply for the use of their staff when there is no available commercial supply and they have significant contact with people presenting with fever or respiratory symptoms.
Masks distributed through PHNs cannot be sold as commercial stock or kept for personal use.
There is no need for the general public or health workers to wear masks unless they are dealing with symptomatic patients.