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The COVID-19 Positive Pathways service provides clinical care, monitoring and support for all people who test positive for COVID-19 in the eastern metropolitan region. The service ensures people with COVID-19 are cared for in the best possible place, whether at home or in a hospital bed, depending on their personal needs and circumstances. The service also connects people to other important services they may need while they’re unwell, including emergency accommodation, food relief, and alcohol, drug, mental health and family violence support services.
The program is delivered by Eastern Health in partnership with EACH Community Health. The North East Public Health Unit (NEPHU) are involved in patient allocation and consent at the beginning of the patient journey and in clearance from isolation and discharge at the end of the patient journey.
All people who test positive for COVID-19 are automatically enrolled in the service and will receive a text message with a link to short survey to assess their care needs. Depending on their circumstances, people may receive follow up text message surveys or phone calls (from private numbers) to further assess their needs and connect them with the services they need to look after their health and remain safe during isolation.
What Happens When I Test Positive?
- You MUST stay at home to isolate UNLESS you need to seek urgent medical care or are at risk
- Get family or friends (or delivery services) to deliver essential items for you, or order online. They should not enter your home.
- You will receive a daily SMS from “Care Pathway”. This SMS contains a link to a symptom monitoring survey. Please complete this survey as it will help our team to provide the best care for you.
- You may also receive regular contact from the EACH or Eastern Health COVID-19 Positive Pathway team
- IF your symptoms get worse at any time seek medical attention immediately. See Symptoms to watch out for and when to get help for further information.
- IF you need extra support to stay at home please reach out for help There is a list of useful links and contacts below.
- The date you are cleared from isolation is determined by the Department of Health. The date is usually included in the initial messages you receive from them – DO NOT delete this message as it serves as your official clearance advice for either work or school.
- Note: You should not need to get another COVID swab test to be cleared, any advice you may receive from your workplace or others that that this is required could be incorrect - seek clarification from the COVID-19 Positive Hotline.
Symptoms to Watch Out for and When to Get Help
Mild symptoms include:
- aches and pains
- sore throat
- dry cough
- runny nose
- reduced taste and/or smell
You can manage these by:
- getting enough rest
- eating well
- maintaining a good fluid intake
- taking any medicines discussed with my GP (or other health professional)
- staying active as able within my house and/or garden
Moderate symptoms include:
- temperature above 38 degrees
- vomiting or diarrhoea
- mild breathlessness or a persistent cough
- struggling to get out of bed and feeling abnormally tired and weak
- worsening aches and pains, sore throat, cough, runny nose or other symptoms
Contact your General Practitioner (GP) for review as soon as possible.
If they are not available contact the Northern Health Virtual Emergency Department or My Emergency Doctor (see Useful Links for further information)
Severe symptoms include:
- severe shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- lips or face turning blue
- pain or pressure in my chest
- skin cold and clammy, or pale and blotchy
- confusion (eg I can’t recall the day, time or names)
- fainting
- finding it difficult to keep my eyes open
- little or no urine output (not passing much urine)
- coughing up blood
Call 000 immediately and let them know that you have COVID-19
Information about Isolation and Quarantine
The North East Public Health Unit (NEHPU) have published FAQs with answers to common questions about isolation and quarantine.
The Department of Health have a hotline for people who are COVID-19 positive to ask any questions they have about their isolation period. Phone: 1300 651 160
Frequently Asked Questions
I can’t log into COVID monitor?
- Ensure that you are using edge or chrome web browsers
- Check that you have added your correct DOB.
- Try on a different device.
- If still unable to log in call or email us as your details – including DOB as they may be incorrect in COVID Monitor
- If you have a hyphenated surname – enter your surname as one word- don’t capitalise the first letter of the second name
I don’t know how to use the symptom tracker?
- Phone a family member and ask them to enter the details for you?
If you have non urgent concerns, you can email us with details and we will return your email as able.
Where can I get more RAPID Antigen tests?
- Call your local pharmacy to see if they have any availability.
- There are a number of websites that are being developed which are tracking availability of RATS
What are the current isolation protocols?
Please see DHHS website: https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/checklist-cases
Or contact the DHHS COVID helpline on: 1800 675 398
Useful links and Resources for People with COVID-19
Northern Health Virtual Emergency Department
Free access to a telehealth appointment with Emergency Department personnel at Northern Health. Available for people across Victoria with COVID-19
A free telehealth service available for people in the Northern and Eastern Region of Melbourne between 6pm to 8am Monday to Friday, from 12pm Saturdays to 8am Monday and on public holidays.
Phone: 1800 123 633
Nurse On Call
Immediate, expert advice, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Phone: 1300 60 60 24
The Coronavirus hotline
You can call the Coronavirus Helpline for information and advice about
COVID-19.
Phone: 1800 675 398
COVID-19 Positive hotline
A hotline for people who are COVID-19 positive to ask any questions they have
about their isolation period.
Phone: 1300 651 160
Remote Monitoring Equipment Instructions
Information for people who have been provided with remote monitoring equipment
How to use an Oximeter Information Sheet (DOC, 400KB)
How to use a Thermometer Information Sheet (DOC, 639KB)
Free support and advice to improve your wellbeing during COVID and beyond.
Phone: 1300 375 330
Find information on emergency relief packages
Pandemic Disaster Payments Service Victoria
Find information on Pandemic Disaster Payments Service
Coronavirus close contact: what you need to know
Find Coronavirus close contact information
Find translated COVID-19 resources
Advice for COVID-19 in Pregnancy
Find resources from The Northern Hospital at
Maternity-Advice for COVID-19 in pregnancy-English
Advice for pregnant women diagnosed with COVID-19-Northern Health
Department of Health
Find the latest updates, including advice on symptoms and precautions via Department of Health
A website that connects people who are in crisis with the services they need right now and nearby
Lifeline
24 hour crisis support and suicide prevention.
Phone: 13 11 14
Counselling Service for young people aged 5‐25.
Phone: 1800 55 1800
A nationwide service providing 24/7 telephone and online counselling to people affected by suicide.
Phone: 1300 659 467
National Alcohol and Other Drug Hotline
Free and confidential advice about alcohol and other drugs.
Phone: 1800 250 015
Support service for people who have experienced, or are at risk of experiencing, sexual assault and/or domestic and family violence and their family and friends.
Phone: 1800 737 732
Support service that offers counselling, advice, referrals and support to men with family and relationship concerns.
Phone: 1300 78 99 78
Support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander victims/survivors of family violence and sexual assault.
Phone: 1800 105 303
Support for LGBTIQ+ people and their families experiencing difficulty in their relationships, including family violence.
Phone: 1800 542 847
Information for GPs
Sotrovimab / Ronapreve® Ambulatory Clinic Information Sheet (DOC, 81KB)
Factsheet for referrers (DOC, 215KB)
About Covid-19 Pathways
If a patient is assessed as at low risk of deterioration and safe to stay at home, the patient’s GP will be contacted to advise of the patient’s diagnosis and to provide ongoing care.
Frequency of reviews will depend on your patient’s clinical needs – see resources below for guidance.
Patients will also receive daily text messages to self-enter their symptoms on COVID Monitor. Severe symptoms will trigger a response from the Eastern COVID Positive Pathways service, operating 7 days a week.
Clinical information on COVID- 19 management in primary care:
RACGP guidelines – Home-care guidelines for patient with COVID-19
National COVID – 19 Clinical Evidence Taskforce – Caring for people with COVID - 19
Contact numbers for GPs
In the event of an emergency, please call 000. Additional urgent supports for patients include My Emergency Doctor and the Northern Hospital Virtual ED triage.
Additional support at Eastern Health is available to GPs 7 days week for phone advice and escalation
- Covid positive pathways consultant (Monday – Friday 0830- 1600 , Sat, Sunday and public holidays- 0830-1300) – general enquires, non-urgent clinical concerns
- Eastern Hospital in the Home (HITH) on-call consultant (adults and pregnant women)- 0481 451 349
** Please contact the HITH consultant for all queries regarding Sotrovimab or Ronapreve including referrals**
- On-call Paediatrician (available 24 hours per day) - 0481 478 250
- Box Hill Hospital Covid Medical Liaison (if your think your patient needs an acute admission) - 8396 8390
(These phone numbers are not for general public use– they are for GP escalation only)
Contact Us
Please note: all positive diagnoses are automatically notified to us. There is no need to refer patients to the service.
Eastern Health
Email: CommunityCOVIDEnquiries@easternhealth.org.au
EACH (low risk patients)
Email: COVIDHealth@each.com.au
Opening hours: 9am to 5pm, 7 days per week
For urgent care after these hours, please contact:
Northern Hospital Virtual Emergency Department
000
The COVID-19 Positive Pathways program is funded by the Victorian Department of Health.
COVID-19 Positive Pathways Service
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The COVID-19 Positive Pathways service provides clinical care, monitoring and support for all people who test positive for COVID-19 in the eastern metropolitan region. The service ensures people with COVID-19 are cared for in the best possible place, whether at home or in a hospital bed, depending on their personal needs and circumstances. The service also connects people to other important services they may need while they’re unwell, including emergency accommodation, food relief, and alcohol, drug, mental health and family violence support services.
The program is delivered by Eastern Health in partnership with EACH Community Health. The North East Public Health Unit (NEPHU) are involved in patient allocation and consent at the beginning of the patient journey and in clearance from isolation and discharge at the end of the patient journey.
All people who test positive for COVID-19 are automatically enrolled in the service and will receive a text message with a link to short survey to assess their care needs. Depending on their circumstances, people may receive follow up text message surveys or phone calls (from private numbers) to further assess their needs and connect them with the services they need to look after their health and remain safe during isolation.
The COVID-19 Positive Pathways program is funded by the Victorian Department of Health.
Eastern Health is committed to ensuring the communities we service receive care that is responsive to their cultural and language needs.
Eastern Health acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land on which its services operate, and pays respect to their Elders past, present and emerging. Eastern Health is committed to achieving equality in health status between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-indigenous Australians.
Eastern Health is an inclusive healthcare service.
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