When to contact the PHU

Residential aged care facilities should contact the South Eastern Sydney Public Health Unit by phone (02 9382 8333) or email as soon as possible if they suspect an outbreak of acute respiratory illness or gastrointestinal illness in residents or staff. 

• An acute respiratory illness (ARI) outbreak is defined as two or more cases of COVID-19, influenza or any new cough/runny nose/sore throat/breathing difficulties during a 72-hour period.  

• A gastrointestinal illness outbreak is defined as two or more people with new onset of diarrhoea or vomiting at one time in the facility.  

Facilities can also contact the Public Health Unit for advice on managing outbreaks of other conditions, for example scabies. 

For a cold chain breach, do not call the PHU. Instead, please complete the online reporting survey. The PHU will contact you after the survey has been completed.

To contact the Public Health Unit email or phone 02 9382 8333.  

For urgent after-hours advice, call Prince of Wales Hospital switchboard on 02 9382 2222