When to contact the Public Health Unit
Please contact the Public Health Unit if 2 or more residents test positive for COVID-19 OR Influenza or are unwell with an Acute Respiratory Illness in 72 hours (as per flow chart below).
You can also contact the Public Health Unit for exposure advice if staff or visitors test positive for COVID-19 who have been at the facility during their infectious period.
Disability care facilities with up to 6 residents can be considered and managed as households OR choose to follow the ARI guidelines (see Guidance for Disability Care Facilities on the public health management of Acute Respiratory Infections (including COVID-19 and Influenza for more information).
Source: Guidance for Disability Care Facilities on the public health management of Acute Respiratory Infections (including COVID-19 and Influenza)
Guidelines and Resources
NSW Health
Disability service providers - COVID-19 (Coronavirus) (nsw.gov.au) Information and resources for Disability service providers.
Australian Government, Department of Health
- Communicable Disease Network Australia (CDNA) National Guidelines for Influenza Outbreaks in RCFs
- Communicable Diseases Network Australia (CDNA) National Guidelines for COVID-19 Outbreaks in RCFs
- First 24 Hours: Managing an Outbreak of COVID-19 in a Disability Group Home
- Advice to residential disability care facilities (RDCF)
Support for NDIS Providers
- National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) providers should direct all COVID-19 outbreak queries and requests (excluding public health guidance) to provider.support@ndis.gov.au
- In addition to use of commercial suppliers, NDIS Providers should continue to request COVID-19 outbreak supports including for workforce and short-term PPE supply from the National Disability Insurance Agency at: provider.support@ndis.gov.au
Clinical Care
COORDINARE’s home commissioned visits is a program to facilitate face-to-face service provision by GPs and practice nurses to patients who are managing COVID-19 at home, including in residential care facilities, when their regular GP does not have the capacity to manage them during their isolation period.
The General practices offering alternate care for COVID-19 positive patients service can be accessed through referral from the resident’s regular GP, and includes:
- Review of COVID-19 positive residents in relation to prescription of anti-viral agents, where appropriate
- Review and management of chronic conditions, wound care, a fall etc. if required while COVID-19 positive
- Review and management of exacerbation of COVID-19 symptoms
To refer go to: Illawarra Shoalhaven Community HealthPathways select:
- COVID-19;
- COVID-19 Requests and Supports;
- COVID-19 Requests;
- General practices offering alternate care for COVID-19 positive patients
The NSW COVID-19 at home support line also provides symptom support and advice for COVID-19 positive people and can be contacted on 1800 960 933.