As community transmission continues to increase in NSW, it is important to know where to get the most up to date information. Hot spots are listed on the NSW Govt website here. Recent statistics and health professional advice are on the NSW Health website here.

Official guidance on the use of masks in public continues to evolve. Keeping away from other people is clearly the most effective way to stop transmission in the community, but is not always feasible. Does encouraging (or mandating) mask wearing make people more or less likely to carefully practice social distancing and adhere to home isolation? And when contacting other people is inevitable, what type of mask, and what other hygiene precautions (e.g. hand washing, not touching mask, wearing it correctly), are necessary. Where is the tipping point for you? For me, it will be when there is sustained community transmission in my home LGA. At the moment, I’m choosing to reduce my excursions outside the home and avoid going to places where social distancing and good hygiene aren’t being practiced.

Assessment and management of acute respiratory illness

New infection prevention and control guidelines have been released by the Clinical Excellence Commission (CEC) to support staff working with patients suffering acute respiratory illness.

The Infection Prevention and Control Guidelines for Assessment & Management of Acute Respiratory Illness are to be used when working with any patient who has, or is being investigated for, an acute respiratory virus or illness during the COVID-19 pandemic and peak influenza periods.