COVID-19 CORONAVIRUS
On this page we will be keeping you up to date about ongoing risks of Covid-19. Our top priority has been providing safe access to appropriate medical care. We encourage you not to delay seeking the advice of your doctor, and we are able to see you face to face in almost all circumstances.
You will find information on what to do if you test positive, information about COVID-19 antivirals and how to arrange booster vaccination at Royal Park Medical.
Choose face-to-face or Telehealth
Royal Park Medical has adopted Covid-safe policies, while remaining accessible to our patients. We are here to help support you, your family and our community. You are welcome to attend the clinic for your appointments, but please understand that we ask you to wear a mask if you have symptoms of a viral illness (to protect others).
If you have COVID-19, we request that you book for a Telehealth appointment first. We can offer medical advice and care via a Telehealth consult. Your doctor may arrange for you to attend the clinic after the initial Telehealth assessment. We can also arrange PCR tests on site if needed.
Please note that Dr Paul Grinzi is offering face to face consultations, but for personal reasons he will not be able to see any person with symptoms of a contagious infection (eg Covid, other viral respiratory illness or gastroenteritis).
What do I do if I test positive for COVID-19?
For most people, particularly those who have had a full course of COVID-19 vaccination; the illness can be mild. Common symptoms include fever, sore throat, body aches and tiredness. Some people experience cough and shortness of breath. However for others – particularly those who are elderly, frail, immunocompromised or pregnant -COVID-19 infection can be severe.
If you test positive, we encourage you to check in with your doctor via a video Telehealth appointment for up to date guidance and medical review. Supportive measures at home are usually appropriate for most however antiviral medication against COVID-19 are available and are highly recommended for high risk individuals. They are most effective if started within 5 days of infection.
COVID-19 anti-viral eligibility
If you test positive for COVID-19, you may be eligible for antiviral treatments if you are:
- 70 years of age or older, regardless of risk factors and with or without symptoms.
- 60 years of age or older with 1 additional risk factors for developing severe disease or have had past COVID 19 infection resulting in hospitalisation.
- 50 years of age or older with 2 additional risk factors for developing severe disease or have had past COVID 19 infection resulting in hospitalisation.
- First Nations person, 30 years of age or older with 1 additional risk factor for developing severe disease or have had past COVID-19 infection resulting in hospitalisation.
Risk factors include:
- living in residential aged care
- living with disability with multiple conditions and/or frailty (but not limited to living in supported accommodation)
- neurological conditions like stroke or dementia and demyelinating conditions e.g. multiple sclerosis, Guillain-Barre Syndrome
- chronic respiratory conditions including COPD, moderate or severe asthma
- obesity or diabetes (type I or II requiring medication)
- heart failure, coronary artery disease, cardiomyopathies
- kidney failure or cirrhosis
- living remotely with reduced access to higher level healthcare
- past COVID-19 infection episode resulting in hospitalisation.
People aged 18 years or older
If you test positive for COVID-19 and are moderately to severely immunocompromised, you may be eligible for antiviral treatments.
Conditions include:
- blood cancer or some red blood cell disorders (thalassemia, sickle cell disease)
- transplant recipient
- primary or acquired (HIV) immunodeficiency
- chemotherapy or whole-body radiotherapy in the last 3 months
- high dose corticosteroids or pulse corticosteroid therapy in the last 3 months
- immunosuppressive treatments in the last 3 months
- anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody treatment in the last 12 months/
- cerebral palsy or Down Syndrome
- congenital heart disease
- living with disability with multiple conditions and/or frailty.
Please note the criteria for eligibility is set by the government and not by Royal Park Medical and it is ever-changing. We will endeavour to keep this up to date.
Contact Royal Park Medical as soon as you test positive for COVID-19. Anti-viral treatments are most effective when started withing 5 days of infection. We will endeavour to arrange a Telehealth appointment with one of our doctors on the day. Please do let our staff know you have tested positive for COVID-19, so we can triage your appointment promptly. Out of hours, please contact the Victorian Virtual Emergency Department who can arrange anti-virals without delay.
How to book a Telehealth appointment
Telehealth appointments can be booked online — click above and choose a phone or video consultation (the doctors prefer video wherever possible).
We use a secure Australian-based video platform. Please click on the video link on your smartphone, tablet or webcam-enabled computer 5 minutes before the appointment time. You may wish to use the app “AMSConnect”.
Simply clicking on the link will allow you to join the video consultation. Once you are in the virtual waiting room, you may need to wait until your doctor has finished their previous consultation.
If you do not have a webcam or smartphone, we can still do telephone consultations. Please let us know if this is what you need. Our doctors will ask questions to ensure they understand your needs. Bear in mind that the doctor won’t be able to see you and it can be difficult to get a full understanding of your medical concern. Medicare rebates for telephone consultations were cut back in 2022, so the maximum rebate you will get is $42.85 even if you need a longer consultation.
If your doctor decides that you need further examination or a procedure you may be asked to come to RPM at a convenient time.
COVID-19 Vaccination
Royal Park Medical is offering ongoing COVID-19 vaccination boosters. The latest vaccine variant is JN1.
If you don’t have a condition that affects your immune system:
- less than 5 years: no booster recommended
- 5 to 17 years: no booster recommended
- 18 to 64 years: eligible for a booster every 12 months
- 65 to 74 years: a booster is recommended every 12 months, but you can have it every 6 months
- 75 years and older: a booster is recommended every 6 months
If you have a condition that affects your immune system, and you are:
- less than 5 years: no booster recommended
- 5 to 17 years: a booster is recommended every 12 months
- 18 to 64 years: a booster is recommended every 12 months, but you can have it every 6 months
- 65 to 74 years: a booster is recommended every 12 months, but you can have it every 6 months
- 75 years and older: a booster is recommended every 6 months
A booster vaccination is not normally recommended while you’re pregnant, unless you have another condition.
Please book in to discuss further. It does not matter if this is your 3rd, 4th, 5th or 6th dose.
