Coronavirus and Cystic Fibrosis
23/3/2020
Letter from CF Centre Directors
Cystic Fibrosis Australia shared a letter from the Australian Cystic Fibrosis Centre Directors. The Centre Directors have been discussing a unified response to questions from people with CF and their carers about the COVID-19 pandemic. Click here to read now.
18/03/2020
PCH and SCGH Update
Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital and Perth Children’s Hospital have released a fact sheet on Coronavirus (COVID-19) and cystic fibrosis. This update includes information on clinic visits, social isolation and advice for limiting the risk of infection.
Click here for the full statement.
PCH – Dr André Schultz Letter to Parents
Dr André Schultz released a letter to parents of children with cystic fibrosis today (18/03/2020) Click here to read now.
17/03/2020
PCH Update – Coronavirus: Advice for children who are immune compromised or have pre-existing conditions
PCH have released an update today for children who have pre-existing conditions, including cystic fibrosis. The update covers clinic appointments, medication supply, what to do if you or you child become unwell, and more. Click here to read the full release now.
Clinic Appointments
“Outpatient clinics are proceeding as scheduled at this stage. For some patients, the health of your child may be compromised if they do not attend or you defer your outpatient appointments.”
Click here to read the full update now.
16/03/2020
The Department of Health has released a range of Coronavirus fact sheets today, including FAQs, self-isolation, social distancing and use of surgical masks. Visit the website for more information.
12/03/2020
The CF team at Perth Children’s Hospital are carefully monitoring progress of the new Coronavirus (COVID-19). At this time, we do not advise any change to daily activity.
Children with CF should continue to attend all of their scheduled appointments at PCH and school as usual. We will continue to work with the Infectious Diseases and Infection Control teams. As always, we encourage good, simple standard practices in the community such as good hand hygiene, respiratory and cough etiquette, seeking medical advice when unwell, and avoiding sick contacts. Please follow public health advice about travel.
Families should be encouraged to seek reassurance and updates from government websites e.g. Healthy WA www.healthywa.wa.gov.au and Smart Traveller www.smartraveller.gov.au instead of the media.
04/03/2020
With media reports about Coronavirus (COVID-19) increasing, we are aware that this is a time of concern for many people. However, the risk of transmission of Coronavirus in Australia remains low.
The most recent information from the Department of Health advises that the best defence remains good hand hygiene, cough and sneeze etiquette, and to isolate when unwell.
Australia has one of the best health systems in the world and is well prepared for a health challenge like this. Here is the most recent information from WA Department of Health about the Coronavirus.
COVID-19 Department of Health FAQ
Please contact the team at PCH if you are worried about your child’s health. Sometimes issues like this can raise anxiety so please give us a call on 08 6457 7333 if you would like some support.
30/01/2020
Cystic Fibrosis WA has consulted with Perth Children’s Hospital (PCH) in regards to the growing concerns from our families about the recent outbreak of the novel coronavirus in Wuhan, China.
You are advised to follow the recommendations here, provided by the Australian Department of Health.
Please contact the team at PCH if you have growing concerns or are worried about your child’s health.
We are aware that this is a time of great concern for everyone and especially if you are caring for someone with a respiratory condition such as CF. Please contact our social worker Kathryn on 08 6457 7333 if you would like further support.
As this is the beginning of a new school year it is timely to provide the school with our CF factsheet, Infection Control in Schools and the CF Smart school letter that can be distributed to parents highlighting how everyone can help to keep the school community healthy and raise awareness that there is a child with CF in the class.