Coronaviruses are a family of viruses that include the common cold along with more severe diseases such as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS). Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) is a new virus and was identified as the cause of a disease outbreak in China, that has now extended into a number of countries around the world. For more information on COVID-19 you can access this patient flyer.
Symptoms of COVID-19:
COVID-19 is a respiratory illness and if you’re sick your symptoms might include:
- fever or history of fever
- acute respitory infection symptoms (cough, shortness of breath, sore throat)
- loss of smell
- loss of taste
- runny nose
- diarrhoea
- nausea
- vomiting
- fatigue.
If you’re feeling sick with any COVID-19 symptoms:
- Get tested immediately by either seeing your local doctor or visiting your nearest Fever Clinic.
Testing is important to find as many cases in the community as quickly as possible.
If you make an appointment with your doctor, please call ahead so they can prepare for your visit and tell the staff what your symptoms are and your travel history (if any) or that you may have been in contact with a potential case.
Please stay home and isolate until you get the results and your symptoms resolve.
To protect yourself and others from infection it's important to practice good hand hygiene and always;
- The most effective weapon against COVID-19 is vaccination.
- Mask-wearing also significantly reduces the risk of transmission.
- Clean your hands with soap and water or alcohol-based hand rubs.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or flexed elbow when coughing and sneezing.
- Avoid contact with anyone who is unwell—try to stay 1.5m away from anyone coughing or sneezing.
- Avoid touching your face, nose and mouth.
- Practice social distancing and avoid shaking hands, hugging and kissing.
- Stay home if you are unwell.