Coronavirus (COVID-19)
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The international COVID-19 situation is evolving rapidly. We now have strict social distancing requirements in place.
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Currently the Australian Government advises that all Australians who have returned from overseas quarantine themselves for 14 days from the day of arrival into the country.
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The best thing you can do to protect yourself and loved ones and help slow the spread of COVID-19 are the following:
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1. Wash your hands frequently
Regularly and thoroughly clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap and water.
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Why? Washing your hands with soap and water or using alcohol-based hand rub kills viruses that may be on your hands.
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2. Maintain social distancing
Maintain at least a 1.5 metre distance between yourself and anyone who is coughing or sneezing.
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Why? When someone coughs or sneezes they spray small liquid droplets from their nose or mouth which may contain a virus. If you are too close, you can breathe in the droplets, including the COVID-19 virus if the person coughing has the disease.
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3. Practice respiratory hygiene
Make sure you, and the people around you, practice good respiratory hygiene. This means covering your nose and mouth with your bent elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze.
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Why? Droplets spread virus. By following good respiratory hygiene you protect the people around you from viruses such as cold, flu and COVID-19.
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4. If you have a fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical care early
Stay home if you feel unwell. If you have a fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical attention and call in advance.
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Why? Calling in advance will allow your health care provider to provide you with the right information and next course of action. This will also protect you and help prevent the spread of viruses and other infections.
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Feeling unwell?
If you develop a fever, a cough, sore throat or shortness of breath within 14 days of overseas travel, seek medical attention.
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Testing for COVID-19 in NSW is recommended for:
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1. Travellers from overseas with the onset of respiratory symptoms or fever within 14 days of return.
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2. Close contacts of confirmed COVID-19 cases with respiratory symptoms or fever within 14 days of last contact.
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3. Healthcare workers with recent onset of respiratory symptoms AND fever irrespective of travel history.
Healthcare workers with recent onset of respiratory symptoms should be assessed on a case by case basis.
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4. Patients admitted to hospital with acute respiratory illness or unexplained fever.
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5. People with acute respiratory illness or fever in high risk settings such as hospitals, aged care facilities, residential care facilities, boarding schools and cruise ships.
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6. People with acute respiratory illness or fever presenting with reported links to settings where COVID-19 outbreaks have occured.
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7. Patients with unexplained respiratory symptoms or fever in Aboriginal rural and remote communities.
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Southern NSW Local Health District has established COVID-19 clinics at Moruya, Bega, Queanbeyan and Goulburn. The clinics will test people for COVID-19, and provide advice. The clinics do not require a referral from your GP and will operate during the day on Monday to Friday. Please call the Healthdirect hotline on 1800 022 222 to arrange a clinic visit.
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