Covid-19 Information, Vaccines, Antivirals & More
As Covid-19 continues to spread in the community it can be difficult to keep up to date with current vaccinations, antivirals and restrictions.
Here at Newport Family Doctors we are committed to continuing to offer the highest quality care and service throughout these changing times. Our team is constantly working to keep up to date on all the changes, updates are generally made on our website and Facebook page.
We’ve tried to make things easy, on this page you’ll find information related to Covid-19, what to do, who to call and how to care for yourself & your family. Below you’ll find our most frequently asked questions, answers and links to the relevant pages to assist further.
Information as of January 2024
What to do if you think you have or have tested positive to Covid-19
If you have any acute respiratory symptoms it is still recommended that you test for covid.
Anyone diagnosed with COVID-19 can pass the virus onto others. While isolation is no longer a legal requirement, if you test positive for COVID-19, staying at home protects the people in your community.
If you test positive, you should not visit high-risk settings like hospitals and aged and disability care settings:
- for at least 7 days or until symptoms have gone
- unless seeking immediate medical care.
To help protect those around you, we recommend:
- avoiding contact with people who are at higher risk of severe disease
- wearing a mask outside the home
- working from home where possible
- avoiding going to school, public areas, or travel on public transport, in taxis or ride-share services
- practicing good hygiene
- following your local health department’s advice when leaving home.
If you have any appointments you cannot miss (visit to a doctor, family violence service or police), let them know in advance that you have COVID-19.
If you feel unwell or need COVID-19 advice for someone in your care, talk with your health provider, or speak to a nurse by calling the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222.
Covid-19 Vaccinations
Newport Family Doctors will be working in accordance with Queensland Health and Government guidelines to roll-out phases of the Covid-19 vaccine. The practice is currently offering Moderna boosters vaccines for existing patients of Currimundi Family Doctors.
You are able to make bookings online for Booster doses or call the clinic for future scheduled clinics and cancellations will be visible online as they come up.
We receive no advance notice of immunisation changes and the government unfortunately advertise availability and early boosters before providing supply.
A Covid-19 booster dose is recommended for the following demographics and is available six months past your last booster dose was administered, or six months since a Covid-19 infection;
- ages 65 and above
- ages 18 to 64 who have medical comorbidities that increase their risk of severe COVID-19
- ages 18 to 64 who have a disability with significant or complex health needs
Bookings can be made by phoning reception 07 3521 4005. For more Covid-19 vaccination information click here
Oral Covid-19 treatment (antiviral)
Most Covid-19 infections will be manageable at home, please note the antiviral is designed to treat high risk patients and severe cases of Covid-19, not everyone will be eligible. See below for suitability.
Eligible patients for Covid-19 antiviral:
- 70 years of age or older, regardless of risk factors and with or without symptoms.
- 50 years of age or older with additional risk factor/s for developing severe disease
- First Nations people, 30 years of age or older and with one additional risk factor for developing severe disease.
- 18 years of age or older, re-infected and have previously been in hospital from COVID-19
- 18 years of age or older, moderately to severely immunocompromised.
If you are unsure of your eligibility, phone the practice on 07 3521 4005 or click here for the updated eligibility.
You're unwell or have Covid-19, can you still have an appointment?
Yes, you are still able to have a consult with a GP if you are unwell or have Covid-19. Currimundi Family Doctors offers telehealth appointments and appointments in our respiratory clinic for patients with suspected or confirmed infection of Covid-19. If you have any Covid-19 or other respiratory symptoms it is necessary to let reception know when booking.
Please be aware that by not divulging correct information about your symptoms puts many people at risk. Your doctors, reception staff and nursing, including their families at home and our other patients are placed at risk. Please work with us, so we can continue to offer all services to you!
What test do you need & where can you get tested?
We are unfortunately not a swabbing site for Covid-19.
For testing sites closest to you and information to determine what the right Covid-19 test is for you and your situation click here.
What is the Covid-19 disease and the symptoms?
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. In many cases the symptoms are mild but for some people it can be severe, requiring treatment in hospital, or even cause a life-threatening illness. If you have any symptoms of Covid-19 it is important that you have either a PCR test at a Covid-19 testing site, or a Rapid Antigen Test.
Symptoms of Covid-19 most commonly include:
- fever (37.5 degrees Celsius or higher)
- cough
- sore throat
- shortness of breath (difficulty breathing)
- runny nose
- loss of taste
- loss of smell.
Other reported symptoms include:
- fatigue
- acute blocked nosed (congestion)
- muscle pain
- joint pain
- headache
- diarrhoea
- nausea/vomiting
- loss of appetite.
You have Covid-19, you've been fine but think your getting worse...
People who have Covid-19 can feel fine at first but then deteriorate rapidly. It is important to be able to recognize the early symptoms of severe COVID-19. The symptoms listed below are indicate that you are getting much worse.
You should call Triple Zero (000) if you experience any of the following:
- worsening shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- are so breathless you are unable to say short sentences when resting
- suddenly find it hard to breathe or your breathing has gotten worse
- blue lips or face
- pain or pressure in the chest
- cold and clammy, or pale and mottled, skin
- fainting or collapse
- being more confused
- becoming difficult to wake up
- little or no urine output – less urine than usual, even though you have been drinking lots of fluid
- coughing up blood
Advice for parents
For most children, Covid-19 causes cold-like or flu-like illness the same as those listed above. If your child develops symptoms you should test them and isolate with them at home if the result is positive.
If your child is sick, you should keep them at home from daycare or school.
Severe Covid-19 illness in children is uncommon but you should look for the following symptoms of severe illness, as above, and call for an ambulance if any of the following occur.
You should call Triple Zero (000) if you experience any of the following:
- worsening shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- are so breathless you are unable to say short sentences when resting
- suddenly find it hard to breathe or your breathing has gotten worse
- blue lips or face
- pain or pressure in the chest
- cold and clammy, or pale and mottled, skin
- fainting or collapse
- being more confused
- becoming difficult to wake up
- little or no urine output – less urine than usual, even though you have been drinking lots of fluid
- coughing up blood
For more detailed information see the raisingchildren.net.au COVID-19 family guide
Important contact numbers
- National Coronavirus Helpline- 1800 020 080
- 134COVID (13 42 68)
- 13HEALTH (13 43 25 84)
If patients become very unwell at home, they need to call Triple Zero (000) and ask for an ambulance explaining to the operator that they have Covid-19.