COVID-19 is still in our community.
To reduce your risk of getting COVID-19 or becoming very unwell with COVID-19:
- Get vaccinated in line with current recommendations
- If you are at high risk of getting very unwell with COVID-19, discuss your treatment plan with your GP in advance, so you are prepared for what to do if you get COVID-19
- Consider other steps to reduce spread, such as wearing a face mask and improving ventilation
- Get tested for COVID-19 if you have symptoms
- If you test positive for COVID-19, take steps to protect yourself and others
COVID-19 is an infectious disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
It can be spread through contact with respiratory droplets or airborne aerosols from an infected person.
Symptoms may appear any time between 2-14 days after being exposed to the virus. The most common COVID-19 symptoms include:
- runny nose
- sore throat
- cough
- shortness of breath
- fever, chills and/or sweats.
Some people may also experience headache, muscle soreness, fatigue, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea, loss of smell and taste, loss of appetite.
Most people who have COVID-19 will experience mild to moderate respiratory illness and recover without needing any medical assistance. Older people, people with pre-existing conditions and people with compromised immunity are at a higher risk of experiencing severe illness.
Most people who test positive for COVID-19 recover completely, but some people may develop long COVID where symptoms last beyond 3 months of initial infection.
For more information about COVID-19, visit the Better Health Channel.
Everyone in Australia aged 5 years and over is eligible for a free COVID-19 vaccination.
Booster doses are recommended or can be considered based on your age and the presence of risk factors for severe illness. Refer to the latest COVID-19 vaccination guidelines from the Australian Government for details of the current recommendations.
COVID-19 vaccinations can be accessed through your local GP or community pharmacy.
In the Barwon South West region, COVID-19 vaccines are also available through the Barwon Health Immunisation Service.
If you have possible COVID-19 symptoms, take a rapid antigen test (RAT).
You do not need to report a positive RAT to the Department of Health.
RATs are available to purchase from community pharmacies. We recommend keeping a supply of RATs at home to ensure you do not risk others when sourcing a test whilst feeling unwell.
It is important to note that at the very beginning of a COVID infection, a RAT may be negative, so consider retesting in subsequent days.
If you are at high risk of severe illness, have COVID-19 symptoms and test negative on a RAT, speak to your GP about whether you might need a PCR test.
If you have COVID-19, it is important to:
- Look after your health
- Check if you’re eligible for antiviral treatment
- Stay at home and take precautions to reduce spread
- Let your contacts know that you have COVID-19
Refer to the Better Health Channel checklist for details of what to do if you test positive for COVID-19.
Antiviral medications are available for COVID-19 positive people at risk of severe disease. These medications can be taken at home and can reduce the risk of hospitalisation.
See further information about who is eligible for COVID-19 antiviral medications and how to access them.
A list of pharmacies dispensing COVID-19 antiviral medications is available from the Western Victoria Primary Health Network.
If you have had contact with someone with COVID-19, it is important to:
- Understand your level of risk
- Monitor for symptoms
- Get tested for COVID-19 if needed
- Take precautions to reduce spread
- Plan ahead for what to do if you are diagnosed with COVID-19
Refer to the Better Health Channel checklist for details of what to do as a COVID-19 contact.
Translated resources are available from:
- The BSWPHU Resources page – translated videos
- The Victorian Department of Health