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Have you tested positive to COVID-19?

20 June 2022

If you are in the ACT region and have tested positive to COVID-19, you may want to speak with your General Practitioner (GP) or other medical specialist. You should do this as soon as possible if you are someone at higher risk of serious illness from COVID-19. This includes if you are:  

  • aged 65 years and over and have an underlying health condition 
  • pregnant and have an underlying health condition  
  • an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person aged 50 years and over and have an underlying health condition 
  • aged 18 years and older and unvaccinated 
  • aged 18 years and older and moderately to severely immunocompromised (see risk factors for more serious illness for more information) 

Keep in mind that most GPs will only offer telehealth support if you have tested positive to COVID-19. If you are trying to book online but can’t find a suitable appointment, please phone your GP practice. There may be additional urgent appointments available. 

You can talk to your GP about: 

  • Your eligibility for COVID-19 medications. These medications need to be started early for the best results. 
  • Information and advice on how to access other medical care while you have COVID-19. 
  • How to monitor your symptoms at home to decide if you need extra medical care. 

If you cannot speak to your GP, or you don’t have a regular GP practice, you can: 

  • call the ACT COVID-19 Care@Home line on 02 5124 3085. 
  • go to the COVID-19 walk-in clinic at the COVID-19 Surge Centre in Garran (see information below) 
  • contact one of the GP Respiratory Clinics (see information below) 

 

COVID-19 walk-in clinic at Garran 

The COVID-19 walk-in clinic is located on the northern side of the COVID-19 Surge Centre on Garran Oval – at 123 Kitchener St Garran. The clinic has a separate entrance to the testing clinic (you should see the signs for this entrance). The nurse led clinic is for COVID positive patients who: 

  • are aged 2 years and older,  
  • need treatment for any non-life threatening injury or illness,  
  • or help managing their COVID symptoms.  

COVID-19 medication cannot be prescribed at this clinic. No appointment is needed for the COVID-19 walk-in clinic. 

If you have a child under two years,  please do not take them to the COVID-19 walk-in clinic. You should call: 

  • your GP, or 
  • one of the GP Respiratory Clinics (see below), or 
  • the ACT COVID-19 Care@Home team on 02 5124 3085 . 

 

General Practice Respiratory Clinics (GPRCs) in the ACT 

Have you heard about the General Practice Respiratory Clinics (GPRCs) here in the ACT?  

YourGP@Crace Respiratory Clinic and Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health and Community Respiratory Clinics are:  

  • offering a GP assessment for anyone experiencing respiratory symptoms  
  • seeing patients face-to-face 
  • testing for COVID-19 (only if symptomatic) 
  • treating COVID positive patients through telehealth and in-person   
  • offering COVID-19 vaccines 

Ochre Health Lakeview Respiratory Clinic offers testing for COVID-19 only. 

To access the GPRCs, contact: 

  • Winnunga Nimmityjah Respiratory Clinic (for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people of the ACT and surrounding regions):  

63 Boolimba Cres, Narrabundah. Walk-ins are welcome or call 02 6284 6222 

  • Your GP@Crace (Northside):  

1/5 Baratta Street Crace. You can book by calling 02 6109 0000 or book online 

  • Ochre Health Lakeview (Southside – offers COVID-19 testing only):  

1/216 Cowlishaw Street, Greenway. You can book by calling 02 5104 2100 or book online. 

 

Other health services 

  • CALMS – Canberra Afterhours Locum Medical Service 
  • Canberra Afterhours Locum Medical Service (CALMS) can support you after-hours. Call CALMS on 1300 422 567 after 6pm weekdays and all-day weekends and public holidays. CALMS provides an initial call with a registered nurse and has GPs available for advice, telehealth appointments or face-to-face consultation as needed.  

 

13SICK – National Home Doctor Service 

The National Home Doctors Service (call 13SICK or 137425, or book online) can provide a range of services, including after-hours telehealth or home visit appointments. Bookings can be made from 6pm weekdays, 12pm Saturdays, all day Sunday and public holidays. 

 

Healthdirect 

If you are unsure about which service to contact, or need health advice, you can call Healthdirect to speak to a Registered Nurse on 1800 022 222 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week). 

 

Call triple zero (000) straight away if you are concerned or your symptoms are getting worse, especially if you are having trouble breathing, have chest pain, or feel faint. 

Tell the phone operator you’ve been diagnosed with COVID-19. 

Tell them you have severe symptoms and need an ambulance. 

Wear a mask as you approach the hospital and change your mask to the surgical mask provided to you on arrival. 

 

Information in this post is correct as of 20 June 2022.

Disclaimer: The information in this article is provided for general information purposes. It is not professional medical advice. For advice about your situation or specific needs, you should seek advice from a qualified health professional. References to products, websites or services are not recommendation or an endorsement. 

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