News

COVID Positive Pathways Program to permanently close

May 29, 2023

**Closed:** The telehealth program, which has supported almost 32,000 COVID-19 patients across the Goulburn Valley, will not register people after Thursday, June 1.

The statewide COVID Positive Pathways Program, which monitors people who have tested positive to COVID-19 and identifies patients who need extra support, will close permanently on Friday, June 30.

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The Goulburn Valley Health program has supported close to 32,000 people diagnosed with COVID-19 across the West Hume region, via telehealth nursing, remote monitoring and access to health and social support services.

GV Health has delivered the program in collaboration with other regional health services in West Hume, including NCN Health, Kyabram District Health Service, Mansfield District Hospital, Benalla Health, Alexandra District Health, Yea and District Memorial Hospital, Seymour Health and Kilmore District Health.

“The GV Health COVID Positive Pathways Program is extremely proud of the support and services we have provided to people in our community with COVID-19, as well as the combined efforts of our teams and partners who together have proactively ensured the program continued to work seamlessly,” GV Health COVID Positive Pathways manager Angela Burns said.

Eligible patients will only be enrolled in the program until Thursday, June 1.

GV Health advice for ongoing COVID-19 services

GV Health has provided the following advice for people, who test positive to COVID-19, after June 1:

GPs: Call your usual GP to ask if they can see you in person or via a telehealth (telephone) appointment.
Accessing antiviral medication: People aged over 70, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged over 30, and those living with health risk factors, chronic conditions, and immunosuppression (weakened immune system) are urged to check their eligibility for COVID medicines and contact their general practitioner or a free GP Respiratory Clinic, even if their symptoms are mild. If you can’t get an appointment, or there is not a respiratory clinic in your area, you can contact the Victorian Virtual Emergency Department. For more information, visit www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/covid-19-medicines
The National Coronavirus Helpline: 1800 020 080 is available 24/7 to provide information and support for Victorians testing positive for COVID-19.
GP Respiratory Clinics: Offer assessment, testing and treatment for people with respiratory conditions (including COVID-19). Clinics can also provide antiviral medication prescription for eligible people who cannot get an appointment with their usual GP. GP Respiratory Clinics are free for everyone, with or without a Medicare card. To check if there is a clinic in your area, or to make an appointment visit www.health.vic.gov.au/covid-19/gp-respiratory-clinics-and-hospital-respiratory-clinics-covid-19
Nurse-on-call: Direct contact with a registered nurse for free, caring, professional health advice, call 1300 60 60 24 from anywhere in Victoria, 24 hours a day.
Victorian Virtual Emergency Department: A public health service for non-life-threatening emergencies. Access emergency care from anywhere in Victoria, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The service can also prescribe anti-viral medication for eligible people who cannot get an appointment with a GP. For more information, visit www.vved.org.au/patients/
Accessing Rapid Antigen Tests: Most local councils and some community health organisations and private pathology centres in Victoria are offering free RATs. Visit www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/get-a-covid-19-test to see what is available in your area.