Spring Street General Practice

Our entire practice would like to wish you and your loved ones a very happy and healthy holiday season. We hope you’re able to spend quality time with family and friends as you enjoy the magic of the season.

NSW is currently experiencing a new wave of COVID-19, with positive cases and hospital admissions increasing across the state.

While mask wearing is no longer mandatory in NSW, it's a little thing we can all do to protect each other from COVID-19 circulating in the community. Pop on a mask when indoors or in crowded places, such as on public transport or at social and sporting events. Pack some spare masks in your bag for friends and family.

You never know who is vulnerable to COVID-19 around you, and wearing a mask gives you extra protection too.

Together, let's stay COVID safe this wave.

For further advice on keeping COVID safe, visit https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/stay-safe

How many COVID-19 vaccine doses do you need?
People aged:
✅50+ = 4 doses
✅30-49 = 3 doses, option of 4th
✅16-29 = 3 doses
✅ 5-15 = 2 doses
Some people with severe or complex health needs may need extra doses.
Vaccines can be booked 3 months after your last dose or COVID-19 infection. You can book online here https://buff.ly/3HeD6Pq

Our doctors and nurses provide the highest quality care in assessing, testing and diagnosing respiratory conditions including influenza, pneumonia and COVID-19. For patients with any respiratory symptoms, we are a FREE, quick and safe service, open 6 days a week. Bookings for respiratory assessment, Covid-19 testing and vaccination are available online or by calling (02) 9194-2788 https://buff.ly/2QyUGFj

Do the right thing to protect those around you

Has someone in your household tested positive for COVID-19 and you’re unsure what you need to do?

If you have symptoms, you need to get tested. If you test positive, self-isolate for 7 days and follow advice. If you test negative, stay home until you do not have any symptoms.

If you don’t have any symptoms you do not need to self-isolate – but you should take steps to protect yourself and the people around you:

- Don’t visit high-risk settings (healthcare, aged care, disability care or correctional facilities)
- Work or study from home where practical
- Wear a mask when in indoor settings that are not your own home
- Avoid contact with people at high risk of severe illness, where possible
- Distance from your COVID-19 positive household member, if possible

For more info on what to do if you’re a household contact, visit: www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/management/household-contacts

It may not be “just a cold” - get tested to keep everyone safe https://buff.ly/3HeD6Pq

NSW Health has been notified of two cases of meningococcal disease in people who attended the 2022 Splendour in the Grass festival.

Although the disease is uncommon, it can be severe, so we are urging people who attended the event in the North Byron Parklands on 21 – 24 July to be alert to the symptoms of meningococcal disease and act immediately if they appear.

Sadly, as reported earlier today, one of these cases was a man in his 40s from Sydney who died with the disease. NSW Health expresses its sincere condolences to his loved ones.

If you suspect symptoms of meningococcal disease, please contact a doctor immediately.

• Symptoms of meningococcal disease are non-specific but include:
o sudden onset of fever
o headache
o neck stiffness
o joint pain
o a rash of red-purple spots or bruises
o dislike of bright lights
o nausea and vomiting.

• Young children may have less specific symptoms, these may include:
o irritability
o difficulty waking
o high-pitched crying
o refusal to eat.

• Not all of the symptoms may be present at once.

So far this year, there have been 15 cases of meningococcal disease reported in NSW.

While meningococcal disease is now uncommon thanks to vaccination, it can occur year round. We tend to see increases in late winter and early spring, with children under five and 15 to 25-year-olds at the greatest risk of contracting the disease.

Vaccination is the best way to protect yourself, your loved ones and community from the harmful effects of meningococcal disease.

Under the National Immunisation Program, meningococcal ACWY (Men ACWY) vaccine is provided free for babies at 12 months, adolescents, and people of all ages with certain medical conditions. In NSW, the adolescent dose is delivered through the school vaccination program in Year 10.

As of 1 July 2020, Aboriginal children up to the age of two years, and people with certain medical conditions, can also access free meningococcal B (Men B) vaccine. All children from six weeks of age can have the Men B vaccine to reduce the risk of infection.

For more information on vaccination or symptoms, transmission, risks and treatment of Meningococcal, see the NSW Health website: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/factsheets/Pages/meningococcal_disease.aspx

If you require further information, please contact your local Public Health Unit on 1300 066 055.

Our thoughts are with the families. Please continue to get tested and stay home if you have symptoms.

COVID-19 update – Saturday 30 July 2022
In the 24-hour reporting period to 4pm yesterday:

- 96.8% of people aged 16+ have had one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine*
- 95.3% of people aged 16+ have had two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine*
- 68.9% of people have had three doses of a COVID-19 vaccine**
- 82.5% of people aged 12-15 have had one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine*
- 78.8% of people aged 12-15 have had two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine*
- 49.8% of people aged 5-11 have had one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine *
- 2,210 hospitalisations
- 68 people in ICU
- 46 lives lost
- 13,425 positive tests: 7,080 RAT & 6,345 PCR

Please note: the 46 deaths notified to NSW Health in the past 24 hours includes 21 deaths notified through the NSW Registry of Births Deaths and Marriages. COVID-19 related deaths are notified to NSW Health from a range of sources and not all deaths reported by NSW Health occurred in the week in which they are reported as there is sometimes a delay between a death occurring and it being notified to NSW Health

*Data as at: 24 July 2022 updated weekly
**Includes both immunocompromised people who have received a third dose and all eligible people who have received a booster

More info: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/covid-19/Pages/stats-nsw.aspx

Wearing a mask while indoors slows the spread of COVID-19.
Studies show that face masks reduce COVID-19 cases by 53%.
It is strongly recommended that you wear a mask in indoor settings, particularly in situations where social distancing isn't possible.
If you're planning on shopping indoors, seeing a movie, or heading to the library, don't forget a mask!
More info: https://www.nsw.gov.au/.../guidance-on-wearing-face-masks

The International COVID-19 Vaccination Certificate provides a secure record of vaccinations for people travelling internationally. It’s been developed to meet agreed international travel standards.
You can get your international certificate online when you’re getting ready to travel if any of these apply:
- you have a current Australian passport
- are an Australian dual citizen with a current Australian passport and a foreign passport
- you have a foreign passport with an Australian visa.
https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/international-covid-19-vaccination-certificate-proof-your-covid-19-vaccinations

It’s important to use all the tools available to help you stay safe from COVID-19 and the flu.
Here are 5 tools to take on winter:
💪Get all the vaccinations or boosters recommended for you
⏰Test early and talk to a health professional about COVID-19 treatments if you’re eligible
😷Wear a mask in indoor crowded places
🧼Practise good hygiene
📏 Maintain physical distancing
Find more tips and information at 💻https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/covid-clarity

How many COVID-19 vaccine doses do you need?
People aged:
✅50+ = 4 doses
✅30-49 = 3 doses, option of 4th
✅16-29 = 3 doses
✅ 5-15 = 2 doses
Some people with severe or complex health needs may need extra doses.
Vaccines can be booked 3 months after your last dose or COVID-19 infection. You can book online here https://www.hotdoc.com.au/medical-centres/book/appointment/reason?clinic=7060

Take on winter and get your fourth COVID-19 dose if you’re aged 50 years and older 💪 A fourth dose will give you the best possible protection against severe disease this winter ❄️ You can book your Pfizer booster online here https://www.hotdoc.com.au/medical-centres/book/appointment/reason?clinic=7060

Our condolences to the 41 families today. Please take COVID seriously, get vaccinated if you are eligible, get tested if you have symptoms, isolate if you are sick and wear a mask indoors.

COVID-19 update – Saturday 23 July 2022

In the 24-hour reporting period to 4pm yesterday:

- 96.8% of people aged 16+ have had one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine
- 95.3% of people aged 16+ have had two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine
- 68.7% of people have had three doses of a COVID-19 vaccine*
- 82.5% of people aged 12-15 have had one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine
- 78.8% of people aged 12-15 have had two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine
- 49.8% of people aged 5-11 have had one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine
- 2,176 hospitalisations
- 59 people in ICU
- 41 lives lost
- 14,953 positive tests: 8,048 RAT & 6,905 PCR

*Includes both immunocompromised people who have received a third dose and all eligible people who have received a booster.

Please note: the 41 deaths notified to NSW Health in the past 24 hours includes 23 deaths notified through the NSW Registry of Births Deaths and Marriages.

COVID-19 related deaths are notified to NSW Health from a range of sources and not all deaths reported by NSW Health occurred in the week in which they are reported as there is sometimes a delay between a death occurring and it being notified to NSW Health.

More info: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/covid-19/Pages/stats-nsw.aspx

Our doctors and nurses provide the highest quality care in assessing, testing and diagnosing respiratory conditions including influenza, pneumonia and COVID-19. For patients with any respiratory symptoms, we are a FREE, quick and safe service, open 6 days a week. Bookings for respiratory assessment, Covid-19 testing and vaccination are available online or by calling (02) 9194-2788 https://www.springstreetgp.com.au/

Pfizer Booster Vaccinations are currently available for doses 2, 3 and 4. Book online https://www.hotdoc.com.au/medical-centres/book/appointment/reason?clinic=7060

Make sure your mask covers your nose and mouth. Fix the flexible band to the bridge of your nose with the mask sitting snugly to your face and below your chin. While you're wearing a mask, do not touch the front or allow it to hang around your neck. Most importantly

We're so incredibly proud of our healthcare workers. Thank you for everything you are doing and will continue to do.

It may not be “just a cold” - get tested to keep everyone safe https://www.hotdoc.com.au/medical-centres/book/appointment/reason?clinic=7060

With cases on the rise COVID-19 winter boosters are now available and are:
• strongly recommended for everyone aged 50 and over
• available to anyone aged 30 and over.
You can get your winter booster 3 months after your last COVID-19 shot. You can get BA.5 Covid variant even if you have had Omicron recently. We are doing Pfizer boosters or you can find other locations here https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/vaccination/get-vaccinated/boosters

Just a reminder that all people over the age of 12 must wear a face mask on public transport and public transport waiting areas (including in taxis and rideshare services). More rules here https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/stay-safe/rules/people-in-nsw

Our condolences to the families for the 95 deaths this week. Please get tested, stay at home if you have symptoms and wear a mask indoors if you can.

The latest NSW respiratory surveillance report for the week ending 9 July provides a summary of the week’s flu, COVID-19 and other respiratory virus data.

COVID-19 Summary
• NSW is experiencing a new wave of transmission driven by BA.4 and BA.5 COVID-19 subvariants, with an increase in the number of notified cases in the last week. Reported rates of COVID-19 are likely to underestimate true incidence in the community.
• PCR testing for COVID-19 is stable, with 203,451 PCR tests reported this week, similar to the previous week. The proportion of PCR tests that were positive for COVID-19 has been stable at about 17%.
• The number of people in hospital has been increasing with 1,946 people in hospital with COVID-19 at the end of this week compared to 1,658 at the end of last week. There were 769 people with COVID-19 admitted to hospital and 75 admitted to ICU this week. The seven-day rolling average of daily hospital admissions decreased to an average of 110 daily admissions from 113 last week and ICU admissions increased to an average of 11 admissions by the end of this week, compared with 8 admissions at the end of last week. Hospital admissions include people with COVID-19 who are admitted for other reasons.
• There were 95 COVID-19 deaths reported this week. Of these, 95 were eligible for a third dose of a COVID-19 vaccine but only 62 (65%) had received three or more doses. Six of the deaths reported were in people aged under 65 years. Deaths may not have occurred in the week in which they were reported.
• BA.4 and BA.5 Omicron subvariants are currently the dominant strains, rising to 83% at the end of this week from 70% at the end of the previous week. There is no evidence of a difference in disease severity but this is being closely monitored. The timing of the peak is likely to sometime in late July or early August and will depend on a combination of factors, including the growth advantage, immunity levels in the population, and environmental and behavioural factors (e.g. social mixing, mask wearing, ventilation, isolation when unwell).
• To help reduce severe disease from Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 subvariant infections, adults aged 50 to 64 years are now recommended to receive a winter booster dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, and adults aged 30 to 49 years can receive a winter booster dose.
• NSW Health is monitoring the international situation in regard to the BA.2.75 subvariant which has recently emerged. Three cases have been reported in returned travelers in NSW which have been confirmed by whole genome sequencing.

Flu summary
• Hospital and laboratory surveillance continues to show a high level of flu activity across NSW.
• Notifications of flu cases decreased this week. The recent trend in reported flu cases suggests that the flu season has peaked; however, there could be subsequent peaks given the early start to the 2022 influenza season. Flu vaccination is strongly advised.
• Hospitalisations and the percentage of tests that are positive are the most useful indicators for comparison of flu activity across years. These indicators are not impacted by overall testing in the community, which is currently elevated due to increased respiratory virus testing.
• Of the 76,684 tests conducted for flu at sentinel laboratories, the proportion of positive tests remains stable at around 4%.
• Emergency department presentations for ‘influenza-like illness’ (ILI) requiring an admission have decreased to 84 compared to 113 admissions in the previous week; 17% of all ILI emergency department presentations required a hospital admission this week, which is a slight increase from 15% in the previous week.
Other respiratory viruses summary
• Detections of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) have decreased this week. Data from sentinel laboratories show 3,183 cases detected this week, compared to 3,842 cases detected last week.
• Detections of RSV are likely impacted by increased levels of testing for respiratory viruses compared to previous years.

For more detail, you can read the full report on our website: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/covid-19/Pages/weekly-reports.aspx

BA.4 and BA.5 are more infectious than previous Covid variants and subvariants, and are better able to evade immunity from vaccines and previous infections. So we’re likely to see a rise in case numbers. If have symptoms get tested and stay home.

As an Australian Government Respiratory Clinic we offer all these services for FREE. Unlike Medical Centres we will see you with symptoms. We also do telehealth with patients that are Covid-19 positive. We are doing 4th Vax Pfizer Boosters every day. Our doctors and nurses provide the highest quality care in assessing, testing and diagnosing respiratory conditions including influenza, pneumonia and COVID-19. Book Online or call 9194 2788 for more info. https://www.hotdoc.com.au/medical-centres/book/appointment/reason?clinic=7060

From July 2022, you are recommended to have an additional winter COVID-19 vaccine (second booster / fourth dose) if you meet eligibility criteria. People aged 30 years and over are also eligible to receive an additional winter booster if they want to. The COVID-19 and flu vaccines can be given at the same time. Many people who are eligible for an additional winter COVID-19 booster will also be eligible for a free flu vaccine. Learn more here https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/vaccination/get-vaccinated/boosters

Make sure your vaccinations are up to date.

We are at the beginning of a third wave of Omicron and a significant rise in COVID-19 infections is expected.

It is more important than ever to make sure that you’re up to date with your COVID-19 vaccinations, including COVID-19 boosters.

Two doses is not enough. New research shows that a booster provides 65% greater protection against hospitalisation or death from Omicron than two vaccine doses alone.

If you’re over the age of 16 and haven’t got a booster yet – get it as soon as possible!

You should also continue to do the little things that will make a big difference, including staying home if unwell, wearing a mask indoors, testing if you have symptoms, and practicing good hygiene by washing your hands or sanitising regularly.

Get your booster today: www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/vaccination/get-vaccinated/boosters

We still offer testing

COVID…the St Vincent's Hospital Bondi Beach Drive-Thru testing clinic will cease to operate after Thurs 30 June 2022.

Thank you so much to the nurses of St Vincent's for their dedicated work over the past 2 years, patiently caring for stressed people, in all weathers - you have been amazing. 🥰

If you need a PCR test, you can find other nearby clinics on the map below or search: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/covid-19/Pages/clinics.aspx

Call for donors to shore up blood supplies! As fires continue to burn across News South Wales and Queensland, the Australian Red Cross Lifeblood has been forced to close its donor centres at Taree, Coffs Harbour and Port Macquarie, and the pop-up centre at Byron Bay. Lifeblood spokesperson Helen Walsh said they were looking to the rest of the country to help fill the gaps and ensure blood supplies stay strong. https://buff.ly/2QxsvHc