COVID-19
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Fact sheet - Health conditions directory.
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 SARS-CoV-2 is the infective agent that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). SARS-CoV-2 is a novel coronavirus that was first identified in humans in December 2019 with possible zoonotic origins.
Coronaviruses cause respiratory disease in humans that range from mild symptoms of the common cold to severe pneumonia and death, (as is the case for Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)). Similarly, COVID-19 has a wide range of symptoms and severity, with millions of cases and deaths having been reported globally since the declaration of the pandemic on 12 March 2020.
For more information and current advice on COVID-19 in Queensland, visit Coronavirus (COVID-19) | Health and wellbeing | Queensland Government
Variants of Concern
SARS-CoV-2 has evolved over time and emerging variants may have differing symptoms, severity and transmission characteristics. Public health laboratories continue to monitor variants and their characteristics as they emerge.
More information and current advice on COVID-19 in Queensland visit Coronavirus (COVID-19).
Immunisation
Immunisation remains the most effective measure to prevent severe disease. For more information regarding vaccination recommendations visit:
Public health management guidelines
- Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) CDNA National Guidelines for Public Health Units
Notification
Pathology laboratories
- Notification criteria for pathology laboratories (PDF, 55kB)
Notification resources
- List of all Pathological, clinical and provisional diagnosis notifiable conditions
- List of Public Health Unit contacts
- Notifiable conditions report form for Queensland doctors/clinicians (PHA S70) or person in charge of a Hospital (PHA S71) (PDF, 77kB) - if faxing notification, follow up by phone.
Enhanced surveillance for public health units
- Case report form – used by public health units to collect and manage more detailed information for enhanced case surveillance.
- Institutional outbreak respiratory outbreak summary form (PDF, 402kB) – used by public health units to collect and manage more detailed information for enhanced case surveillance.
Clinical guidelines
Immunisation
- ATAGI Advice for COVID-19 vaccine providers and administrators - provides clinical guidelines for COVID-19 vaccine providers and administrators.
Resources for health professionals
- COVID-19 information for Queensland Clinicians additional information to assist Queensland clinicians, including testing, vaccination, clinical guidelines, primary care, aged care and infection control.
- Infection prevention and control guidance (including PPE advice) | COVID-19 | Queensland Health – information on COVID-19 infection prevention and control, including PPE, respiratory protection equipment and outbreak management.
- Australian Guidelines for the Prevention and Control of Infection in Healthcare (2019) - National Health and Medical Research Council.
- CDNA National Guidance for Urban and Regional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities for COVID-19
- National Guidelines for the Prevention, Control and Public Health Management of Outbreaks of Acute Respiratory Infection (including COVID-19 and Influenza) in Residential Care Facilities (2024)
- CDNA National Guidelines for COVID-19 outbreaks in correctional and detention facilities
Other resources