COMMUNITY UPDATE – CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)
We would like to update you on the current situation in relation to Coronavirus (COVID-19).
More Victorians now eligible for a COVID-19 ‘winter’ dose
More Victorians at greater risk of severe disease can now get a fourth COVID-19 ‘winter’ dose from GPs, pharmacies and state vaccination centres. In addition to those already eligible, ATAGI now recommends the dose for people aged 16 to 64 who have:
- a medical condition that increases the risk of severe COVID-19 illness, or
- disabilities with significant, complex or multiple health issues, which increase the risk of poor outcomes from COVID-19 infection.
Visit Who can get vaccinated against COVID-19 for more information.
COVID-19 medicines available to eligible Victorians
Eligible Victorians with COVID-19 who are at higher risk of becoming seriously ill can access medicine to help prevent them needing hospital care. General practitioners can assess a person’s need for COVID-19 medication.
For more information, refer to COVID-19 medicines.
Vaccines
6,252,052 vaccine doses have been administered by Victoria’s state-commissioned services, with 1,398 doses administered yesterday at state-run centres.
67.6 per cent of Victorians aged 16 and over have had 3 doses of a COVID-19 vaccine. 94.6 per cent of Victorians aged 12 and over have had 2 doses.
Testing
16,055 PCR tests were processed yesterday. The total number of PCR tests performed in Victoria since the pandemic began is 21,078,605.
Advice for cases and contacts
Helpful information is available online for cases and household, social, workplace, education and other contacts.
See the checklists and recommend them to your patients.
General advice
COVID-19 symptoms include fever, sore throat, cough, shortness of breath and loss or change in sense of smell or taste. If you are experiencing symptoms, wear a fitted face mask when you get tested.
The Department publishes expected wait times at testing sites as well as updated information about locations and hours of operation at Where to get tested.
For more information call the 24-hour Coronavirus Hotline at 1800 675 398 or visit Coronavirus (COVID-19) Victoria.
