Gold Coast Primary Care Covid-19 Guidelines for GPs with COVID-19 positive patients

Advice is likely to change.

Low risk, with no or very mild symptoms

Self-manage at home with GP support where possible. GPs can refer to COVID-19 Case Management – Community HealthPathways Gold Coast to provide support (including management guidelines and community and clinical supports).

If the patient requires general advice only, advise them to visit Queensland Health – I have COVID-19, use the healthdirect Australia COVID-19 Symptom and Antiviral Eligibility Checker.

Or contact:

1. The National Coronavirus Helpline on 1800-020-080, or
2. 134COVID (13 42 68), or
3. 13HEALTH (13 43 25 84)

Moderate risk or symptoms

GPs managing moderate patients can refer to the pathway COVID-19 Case Management – Community HealthPathways Gold Coast to provide support (including management guidelines and community and clinical supports).

COVID-19 Outpatient therapies

Therapies for COVID-19 mild to moderate disease are guided by the state guideline based on PBS requirements and national guidelines.

Please note that these state guidelines are updated regularly.

For patients to be considered for COVID-19 treatments, the referral must include:

• the indication for the specific therapy
• list of other medical conditions
• current medications with their indications and doses, and
• most recent renal function (including date).

COVID-19 Virtual ward

In scope

Adult Patient who:

• has been assessed by a medical practitioner AND
• has a positive test (PCR or RAT) AND
• meets eligibility criteria for injectable COVID-19 Outpatient therapies that cannot be provided for by the General Practitioner (currently this is only if patient meets criteria for remdesivir as there are no other injectable or hospital only therapies for COVID-19 currently being prescribed.

Out of scope

• Referral for COVID monitoring
• Severe COVID symptoms – patients should be referred to the Emergency Department
• Patients with contraindications to the injectable therapies
• Patients not consenting to the injectable therapy

• Virtual Ward Information Sheet – How to Make a Referral and Word Referral Template (updated 31/1/2023)
• Referral Templates (please ensure you have downloaded most current version)

Virtual Ward referrals should only be sent using Medical Objects or via fax 07 5687 0096.

Dedicated GP only support

Severe Symptoms

At any time, if a patient has Red Flag symptoms (such as new or worsening breathlessness, chest pain or tightness) call 000 and ensure they are advised the person is (is likely) COVID-19 positive. Please refer to the RACGP COVID-19 Home Care Guidelines for as full list of “Red Flag” symptoms.

Post Covid/Long Covid

Please refer to RACGP guidelines.

National COVID-19 Clinical Evidence Taskforce guidelines and clinical flowcharts for the care of people with post–COVID-19 and local HealthPathways, acknowledging that uncertainties remain in our understanding of the sequelae of COVID-19 and its management.

This guide can be used in conjunction with the patient resource, managing post–COVID-19 symptoms.

Queensland Health Information