When to contact the Public Health Unit
Please contact the Public Health Unit if 2 or more residents/participants test positive to COVID-19, Influenza or RSV within 72 hours (as per flow chart below).
Facilities with less than 6 residents may choose to be managed as a household and follow the Testing positive to COVID-19 and managing COVID-19 safely at home and Advice for people exposed to COVID-19 or they may follow the guidance in this document, particularly where residents are at higher risk of severe illness if they develop COVID-19.
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 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
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
- From 1 July 2022, PPE costs have been incorporated into the Disability Support Workers (DSW) Cost Model as part of the Annual Pricing Review. For providers - coronavirus (COVID-19) | NDIS
Testing advice
- RATs should be the first line of testing for newly symptomatic residents or clients, including during a COVID-19 outbreak.
- People who are a higher risk of severe disease from COVID-19 and have new respiratory symptoms, but who are RAT negative should get a respiratory PCR (COVID-19, influenza & RSV minimum).
- PCR testing remains available through the usual Medicare referral pathways with a signed form provided by a doctor or nurse practitioner.