If you test positive to coronavirus (COVID-19) with a Rapid Antigen Test (RAT), it’s vital that you register your result – for your own health, your carers and Bairnsdale Regional Health Service.

BRHS Sub-Regional Partnerships and Innovation Lead Julie Lawrence (pictured) says Department of Health figures suggest an increasing number of people testing positive on RATs across Victoria aren’t registering their result.

That means health services like BRHS can’t fully assess the scale of COVID infections in the community, and our people are missing out on programs to support them through the illness and avoid longer-term health impacts.

“We have a fantastic program called COVID Positive Pathways that we run from Bairnsdale and cover all of East Gippsland. Once you test positive on a RAT, you’re automatically linked to care and support and if required, because of symptoms or your level of illness, BRHS will monitor you while you have COVID,” she said.

“To support people to recover by linking them early with the care and programs they need, it’s vital that our East Gippsland community registers their positive RAT test results.”

The COVID Positive Pathway asks you to record your symptoms and detail any other medical conditions or factors that might complicate your COVID diagnosis, then connects you with the services you and your loved ones may need to get you through until you’ve recovered.

That includes regular contact with BRHS clinicians to check your progress, and success to services like BRHS’ Better at Home/COVID at Home program so you can recover in comfort at your home without the risk you may get sicker and need more formal hospital care. Julie led the design of the COVID at Home program.

“Registering helps patients maintain contact with people as they isolate and recover. It supports their carers, and it helps us to monitor their symptoms and any escalating symptoms and get them onto the Better at Home/COVID at Home if they need it,” Julie said.

“It helps us understand how many people have COVID in the community. It helps us manage cases and resources. It helps us to give people up-to-date information, and it’s fully confidential. Only BRHS clinicians see the information.”

To register your positive RAT result, just complete this form: https://dhvicgovau.powerappsportals.com/rapid-antigen-test/

For the latest coronavirus information, go to the BRHS website: https://brhs.com.au/Coronavirus/

• Image of Julie Lawrence pre-dates COVID restrictions