Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses known to cause respiratory infections. 

These can range from the common cold to more serious disease such as Severe acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS). 

This new coronavirus originated in Hubei Province, China and the disease caused by the virus is named COVID-19

COVID-19 is most likely to spread from person-to-person through:

• Direct close contact with a person while they are infections or in the 24 hours before their symptoms appeared.
• Close contact with a person with a confirmed infection who coughs or sneezes.
• Touching objects or surfaces (such as door handles or tables) contaminated from a cough or sneeze from a person with a confirmed infection, then touching your mouth or face.

The symptoms of COVID-19 are similar to other colds and flus and include:

• Fever
• Breathing difficulties such as breathlessness
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Fatigue or tiredness

There is no specific treatment for coronaviruses.  Antibiotics are not effective against viruses.  Most of the symptoms can be treated with supportive medical care.

Practising good hand and sneeze/cough hygiene and keeping your distance from others when you are sick is the best defence against most viruses. 

You should:

• Wash your hands frequently with soap and water, before and after eating, and after going to the toilet.
• Cover your cough and sneeze, dispose of tissues, and use alcohol- based hand sanitizer.
• If unwell, avoid contact with others (stay more than 1.5 metres from people).

Exercise personal responsibility for social distancing measures.

Your doctor will tell if you should be tested.  They will arrange for the test.

You will only be tested if your doctor decides you meet the criteria:

• You have returned from overseas in the past 14 days and you develop respiratory illness without a fever.
• You have been in close contact with a confirmed COVID-19 in the past 14 days and you develop respiratory illness with or without fever.
• You have severe community-acquired pneumonia and there is no clear cause.
• You are a healthcare worker who works directly with patients and you have a respiratory illness and a fever.

If you meet any of these criteria, your doctor can request you are tested for COVID-19.

It is important to remember that many people with symptoms similar to COVID-19 will not have the virus.

Only suspected cases are tested to ensure our labs are able to cope with the demand.

There is no need to test people who feel well and do not meet the criteria above.

All people who arrive in Australia from midnight 15 March 2020, or think they may have been in close contact with a confirmed case of coronavirus, are required to self-isolate for 14 days.

If you have been diagnosed with COVID-19, you must stay at home to prevent it spreading to other people.  You might also be asked to stay at home if you have been exposed to the virus.

Staying at home means you:

• Do not go to public places such as work, school, shopping centres, childcare or university.
• Ask someone to get food and other necessities for you and leave them at your front door.
• Do not let visitors in, only people who usually live with you should be in your home.

You do not need to wear a mask in your home.  If you need to go out to seek medical attention, wear a surgical mask (if you have one), to protect others.

You should stay in touch by phone and on-line with your family and friends.

Social distancing is one way to help slow the spread of viruses such as COVID-19.  Social distancing includes staying at home when you are unwell, avoiding large public gatherings if they are not essential, keeping a distance of 1.5 metres between you and other people whenever possible and minimising physical contact especially with people at higher risk of developing serious symptoms, such as older people and people with existing health conditions.

There is no need to change your daily routine, but taking these social distancing precautions can help protect the people in our community who are most at risk.

What does 1 person per 4 square meters mean?

Many have been confused about what it looks like and how to comply.

Australia's social distancing rules have been enhanced following new Federal government guidelines for indoor gatherings.

All non-essential indoor gatherings of fewer than 100 people are still allowed, however the new guidelines require there to be at least four square meters available for every person in the area.

For example, if you are in a room that is 10 meters by 10 meters (100 square meters) then you can only have 25 people gathered.

This new guideline doesn’t alter the current social distancing requirements.  You should continue to social distance by ensuring you are 1.5 metres away from others.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) is advising that their Scamwatch has received multiple reports of COVID-19 themed scam texts being sent to members of the community.

The text messages appear to come from ‘GOV’ as the sender and it includes a link to find out where to ‘get tested in your geographical area’ for COVID-19.

If you receive one of these messages, delete the message and do not click the link.

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Currently, Australia does not have widespread community transmission of COVID-19.  To help slow the spread, the Australian Government has advised effective from Wednesday 18 March that organized, non-essential gatherings should be limited to 100 people.

Non- essential meetings or conferences of critical workforces, such as health care professionals and emergency services should also be limited.  This advice does not include workplaces, schools, universities, shops, supermarkets, public transport and airports.

To protect vulnerable Australians, the Government has also advised reducing visitors to all residential aged care facilities and remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

These precautions are most important for people over 60, particularly if they have a chronic disease.

Yes you can still go to work.  The Government currently recommends that organised, non- essential gatherings be limited to a maximum of 100 people.

This advice does not include workplaces, schools, universities, shops, supermarkets, public transport and airports.  If you are unwell, you should stay home to avoid spreading your germs to others.

No, at this stage the Government recommends continuing essential daily activities including school and childcare.

If your child is unwell, you should keep them home to avoid spreading their germs to others.

Major sporting events and community activities may be postponed or cancelled depending on the size of the event and the expected number of attendees.

You can continue to engage in smaller community sports and activities that are part of your daily life.

You do not need to wear a face mask if you are healthy. 

While the use of masks can help to prevent transmission of disease from infected patients to others, masks are not currently recommended for use by healthy members of the public for the prevention of infections like coronavirus.

For the latest advice, information and resources go to www.health.gov.au or https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronavirus-covid-19-daily-update

Call the dedicated Coronavirus Helpline on  1800 675 398.  It operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week.  If you require translating or interpreting services, call 131 450.

The phone number of your state or territory public health agency is available at www.health.gov.au/state-territory-contacts

If you have concerns about your health, please speak to your doctor but always phone first.