Official Medical Advice Contacts for COVID-19 in Australia

For the latest information on COVID-19:
 As we are Australian based this is a list of contacts for medical updates on the COVID-19 Pandemic and official medical advice is for Australians to follow. For other countries please refer to your local health authority.

The mounting challenges to health and society posed by Coronavirus, or COVID-19, have generated wide-ranging and demanding responses. This bulletin seeks to set out for our clients the latest authoritative information that may help people to understand and respond in the best way they can. 

Developments this week on Coronavirus have included a boost to information services, measures expanding telehealth, enforced limits on dispensing and sales of certain prescription and over-the-counter medicines and extension of limits on public gatherings and travel.

Also government agencies have warned consumers to beware of scams seeking to exploit Coronavirus fears.

Latest developments

For official alerts and updates, go to the Australian Government Department of Health

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:

• Scamwatch information on Covid-19 scams: https://www.scamwatch.gov.au/news/covid-19-coronavirus-scams
• Australian Consumer Law (ACL) and COVID-19: https://www.accc.gov.au/consumers/consumer-rights-guarantees/covid-19-coronavirus-information-for-consumers
• ACCC Media Release dated 18 March, Advice on event and travel cancellations due to COVID-19:  https://www.accc.gov.au/media-release/advice-on-event-and-travel-cancellations-due-to-covid-19

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.