Background

Having supported close to 2.5 million Victorians diagnosed with COVID-19 via telehealth nursing, remote monitoring and access to health and social support services, the COVID Positive Pathways program has played a critical role during the period of Victoria’s pandemic emergency. We are immensely proud of how health services, community health and social support organisations have worked together to care for their communities.

With a range of supports now available for Victorians with COVID-19, the C+P Program will stand down, with the last day of patient enrolment being 1 June 2023. A deviation from this date will only occur in exceptional circumstances, such as a sharp rise in hospitalisations.   

For current information on the Pathways Program visit www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/covid-positive-pathways

Sources of ongoing information and support for Victorians detailed below.

Information for people with COVID-19 and their carers

Click the headings to be taken to the appropriate link for more information.

• When to wear a face mask
• Getting a COVID-19 test
• What to do if you have COVID-19
• How to get your 2023 booster
• COVID-19 antiviral medicine
• Ventilation

Where to get care & support if you have COVID-19

• Your GP – call your usual GP to ask if they can see you in person or via a telehealth (telephone) appointment. Be sure to let them know you have tested positive for COVID-19. 
• 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. (Update: As of 4 December 2023, the National Coronavirus Helpline was decommissioned) 
• 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. (Update: As of 31 October 2023, all General Practice Respiratory Clinics (GPRC) in South Eastern Melbourne have closed.) 
• 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 or a respiratory clinic. For more information, visit  www.vved.org.au/patients/
• Accessing Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) - Most local councils and some community health organisations and private pathology centres in Victoria are offering free RATs. Visit Get a COVID-19 test to see what is available in your area.

This official advice is from the Victoria State Government, Department of Health.