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Australians with chronic illnesses urged to continue regular health check-ups

Deputy chief medical health officer Nick Coatsworth

Australians are being urged to continue their regular health check-ups, particularly those with chronic illnesses. It comes as the number of people visiting G-Ps and receiving routine tests plunges amid coronavirus fears


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By Jennifer Luu, Amelia Dunn

Presented by Adel Danno

Source: SBS



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Australians are being urged to continue their regular health check-ups, particularly those with chronic illnesses. It comes as the number of people visiting G-Ps and receiving routine tests plunges amid coronavirus fears


As one of the most vulnerable groups in the coronavirus crisis, Australians living with chronic illnesses are being extra vigilant about social distancing.

 The fear of contracting coronavirus is stopping many people from visiting doctors' clinics and pathology centres.

 But health authorities are pleading for those with chronic conditions to continue receiving their regular health check-ups and pathology tests.

Thousands of Australians are avoiding taking their usual tests.

The pathology sector says testing rates have plummeted by 40 per cent, equivalent to over 60 000 patients a day.

Tests are especially crucial in monitoring the health of those with chronic illnesses such as diabetes or heart disease.


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