Response to COVID-19 Infection in Hemodialysis Patients: An Australian Perspective

The first reported case of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection in Australia (population 26 million) occurred on January 24th, 2020 in a returned traveler from Wuhan, China (1) followed by a rapid rise in new cases (Figure 1). The Australian government activated the Health Sector Emergency Response Plan for Novel Coronavirus (2) in late February, with subsequent implementation of strict social distancing measures and closure of international boarders in late March (Figure 1). We describe the response taken by the Australian and New Zealand Society of Nephrology (ANZSN) to prepare for the potential exponential increase in case load that was seen in other countries, such as Italy, the United Kingdom, and the United States.Figure 1. Daily coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection numbers in Austraia January 24th to June 8th, 2020 showing peak cases mid to late March. Blue and red arrows illustrate timing of Australian Government and Australian and New Zealand Society of Nephrology (ANZSN) initiatives in relation to daily COVID-19 infection numbers.On March 4th, 2020, the ANZSN Council canvassed members to determine if any had commenced preparations for the COVID-19 infection. It became clear that no coordinated approach to this infection had been instigated. As such, the ANZSN Council held a members-only virtual meeting (the COVID-19 Forum) to gauge the preparedness of society members and obtain guidance on further actions.The first COVID-19 Forum was held on March 18th at a time when daily case numbers were rapidly escalating (Figure 1). It was clear at this meeting that the society and its members were not prepared for the COVID-19 infection. This directed the ANZSN Council to create a COVID-19 Working Group (WG) comprising nephrologists and renal nursing and patient advocacy experts with geographic representation across Australia and New Zealand. Specifically, the WG performed three broad functions—monitor and remain informed …