Information on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
An important message to all our patients, their families and our staff
Information on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
To reduce the risk of the virus spreading to patients in the waiting room and to our staff, we are asking that anyone with symptoms please call the practice on 5545 1222 and do not attend the practice in person.
From 1st October 2020 Government funded Telehealth consultations are now able to be offered to patients that have been seen in the surgery within the last 12 months. We recommend patients call to speak to a receptionist to see if they are eligible for a Telehealth appointment with a GP.
Are You a Fence Sitter?
There is so much scientific information that has been drowned out by sensationalist reporting around the COVID-19 vaccine. The result is that people are confused and frightened, making decisions based on fear not fact. The following information is to help you with this decision.
Reasons to have an early COVID-19 vaccine:
- Winter encourages the faster spread of the virus
- If you are over 50, It takes more than three months to complete a vaccination course and reach maximal immunity. Waiting until the virus is spreading in the local community may be too late.
- The community is becoming complacent about testing and social distancing
- Increasing numbers of travelers are returning to Australia with COVID-19
- Having the COVID-19 vaccine for the over 50s now does not preclude having another type of vaccine as a booster later in the year or next year.
- The virus is never going away, and it is inevitable that in the next 1-2 years it will spread through the Australian community.
- COVID-19 death rate varies from 1.3/100 for 50–59-year old’s, increasing to 15/100 for over 80s.
- For every death from COVID-19 there are 5 times the number of people who develop permanent health problems and disability e.g., chronic lung disease, heart failure, kidney failure, chronic fatigue, or dementia.
Risks and side effects of the vaccine
- 30-40% of people, in the 24 hours following the vaccine, will get one or more of the following non-serious side effects: sore arm, headache, mild fever, sweats, shakes, muscle aches or nausea. These are not dangerous and resolve in 1-2 days and are produced by your immune system responding to the vaccine. These effects are more common in younger people.
- There is a rare potential side effect, called thrombotic thrombocytopenic syndrome (TTS), an autoimmune clotting disorder which occurs about 1/100,000 vaccines. It is less common in older age groups than younger. Having had a previous blood clot or family history of a clot does not increase your risk of TTS. To put this in context, your risk of death in a car accident in the next year is about ~ 1/20,000. Australian doctors have learnt quickly how to recognize and treat this condition such that now all but one patient who has had this has been successfully treated. The one death from this in Australia was an early case, making 1 death in over 4 million doses of the vaccine.
If you would like to speak to your doctor more about this or book for a vaccine, please book an appointment.
Dr Leeann Carr-Brown
Tamborine Mountain Medical Practice
More information. Please use the links below.
1. What is COVID-19 and why the concern?
COVID-19 is a coronavirus not previously identified in people and was first diagnosed in December 2019 in China. It is a respiratory illness that causes similar symptoms to that of a cold or influenza. This is a relatively new virus and we still don't have a lot of information about it and the long-term effects. Antibiotics are not effective against viruses.
2. People at risk?
In Australia, the people most at risk of contracting the virus are those who have
- Been in close contact with someone who is a confirmed case COVID-19
- Healthcare, aged care or residential care workers
3. Who is at most risk of a serious illness?
Some people who become infected may not get sick at all, some may experience mild symptoms from which they will recover easily, and others may become very ill, very quickly. From the information we have gathered so far the people most at risk are
- Elderly people
- People with compromised immune systems , such as people with cancer
- People with chronic medical conditions
4. How can we prevent the spread of the virus?
Practicing good hand and sneeze/cough hygiene is the best defence against most viruses.
You should:
- Cover your cough and sneeze with a tissue, dispose of tissues directly after, and wash hands with soap and water or use alcohol-based hand sanitiser.
- If unwell, avoid contact with others (stay more than 1.5 meters away from other people), stay home from work, and avoid going to shops or other crowded areas
- Stay at home if you are unwell
To ensure we keep our waiting room safe for all our patients to use for their general visits, all patients with any cold/flu like symptoms will be booked for a Telehealth or car park consultation with their GP in the first instance.
5. What do I do if I develop symptoms?
If you develop symptoms which include the following, even i the mildest form:
- Fever
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Runny nose
- Tiredness
- Shortness of breath
- Diarrhoea
- Vomiting/nausea
- Loss of smell or taste
National Coronavirus Helpline (1800 020 080) or call your doctor for an assessment.
If you have serious symptoms such as difficulty breathing:
- Call 000 and ask for an ambulance; and
- Tell the ambulance officers that you have had contact with someone that has a confirmed case of COVID 19
6. When do I need to self-isolate myself?
If you have been diagnosed with Covid-19, you should isolate until you are symptom free.
Self-isolation means you should stay at home and must not attend public places such as work, schools, university, childcare or shops.
7. COVID-19 Testing Information
Where can I get a COVID-19 test in Queensland?
If you have COVID-19 symptoms, you should contact your GP. You can self-test with a RAT test, or you can see your GP for a pathology request and attend a private pathology provider.
My test was negative but I’m still feeling sick – should I get tested again?
If you’re still feeling unwell and it seems unusual or you need medical help to treat your symptoms, you should talk to a GP or call 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84) to get medical advice about your condition.
8. Should I wear a face mask?
Face mask can help to prevent the transmission of the virus from an infected patient to others. Face masks can also be a useful measure to help control sustained community transmission.
9. Where can I get further information?
For the latest advice and information, go to the Australian Government Department of Health website at
Coronavirus (COVID-19) resources for the general public | Australian Government Department of Health
Coronavirus (COVID-19) | Health and wellbeing | Queensland Government (www.qld.gov.au)
For advice on Phone and Video consultations with your GP go to the RACGP website at https://www.racgp.org.au/FSDEDEV/media/documents/Advertising/Phone-and-video-consultations-with-your-regular-GP-Information-for-patients-FINAL.pdf
If you have any further concerns, please contact Sharon Hill our Practice Manager or speak with your GP when you next visit.
Kind Regards,
Doctors and staff at Tamborine Mountain Medical Practice