Covid-19 Resource for the Pilbara

People can catch COVID-19 from others who have the virus. The disease can spread from person to person through small droplets from the nose or mouth which are spread when a person with COVID-19 coughs or exhales. These droplets land on objects and surfaces around the person. Other people then catch COVID-19 by touching these objects or surfaces, then touching their eyes, nose or mouth. People can also catch COVID-19 if they breathe in droplets from a person with COVID-19 who coughs out or exhales droplets. This is why it is important to stay more than 1 metre (3 feet) away from a person who is sick.

IT CANNOT JUMP ACROSS A ROOM OR BE CARRIED FOR LONG DISTANCES IN THE AIR

The main way the disease spreads is through respiratory droplets expelled by someone who is coughing. The risk of catching COVID-19 from someone with no symptoms at all is very low. However, many people with COVID-19 experience only mild symptoms. This is particularly true at the early stages of the disease. It is therefore possible to catch COVID-19 from someone who has, for example, just a mild cough and does not feel ill.

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

• Fever
• Sore throat
• Cough
• Fatigue
• Difficulty breathing

While coronavirus is of concern, it is important to remember that most people displaying these symptoms are likely suffering with a cold or other respiratory illness – not coronavirus.

If you develop symptoms within 14 days of arriving in Australia or within 14 days of last contact with a confirmed case, you should arrange to see your doctor for urgent assessment. You should telephone the health clinic or hospital before you arrive and tell them your travel history or that you have been in contact with a confirmed case of coronavirus. You must remain isolated either in your home, hotel or a health care setting until public health authorities inform you it is safe for you to return to your usual activities.

• You have returned from overseas in the past 14 days and you develop respiratory illness with or without fever
• You have been in close contact with a confirmed COVID-19 case 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 a household member is a suspected case, you may need to be isolated. This will be determined by your public health unit on a case-by-case basis. Your public health unit will contact you if you need to isolate.

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 may 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’re not essential, keeping a distance of 1.5 metres between you and other people whenever possible and minimising physical contact such as shaking hands, especially with people at higher risk of developing serious symptoms, such as older people and people with existing health conditions.

There’s 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.

Some people who are infected may not get sick at all, some will get mild symptoms from which they will recover easily, and others may become very ill, very quickly. From previous experience with other coronaviruses, the people at most risk of serious infection are:
·       People with compromised immune systems (e.g. cancer).

·       Elderly people.

·       Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, as they have higher rates of chronic illness.

·       People with chronic medical conditions.

·       People in group residential settings.

·       People in detention facilities.

·       Very young children and babies.*

*At this stage the risk to children and babies, and the role children play in the transmission of COVID-19, is not clear. However, there has so far been a low rate of confirmed COVID-19 cases among children, relative to the broader population.

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 sanitiser.
• If unwell, avoid contact with others (stay more than 1.5 metres from people).
• Exercise personal responsibility for social distancing measures.

The outbreak of any virus in aged care facilities can cause significant problems. However COVID-19 is a health risk for older people. In order to protect older people, restrictions apply. Do not visit aged care facilities if you have:

• returned from overseas in the last 14 days
• been in contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19 in the last 14 days
• have a fever or symptoms of a respiratory infection (e.g. cough, sore throat, shortness of breath)

From 1 May you must have your influenza vaccination in order to visit an aged care facility.

The Government has also announced that aged care facilities must take extra precautions when it comes to visits, including:

• Ensuring visits are kept short.
• Ensuring visits are kept to a maximum of two visitors, including doctors, at a time.
• Ensuring that visits are in a resident’s room, outdoors, or in a specific area designated by the facility and not in communal areas.
• There be no large group visits or gatherings, including social activities or entertainment.
• School groups of any size are not to visit.
• Children under the age of 16 are not permitted, except in special circumstances.

If visiting family and friends in residential aged care facilities is not possible, it’s important to keep in touch via phone and video calls, send postcards, photos or artwork, or videos. 

As of Sunday, 29 March 2020:

• Public gatherings, excluding household members, have been reduced to maximum of two people. Check State and Territory websites for further enforcement information.
• Everyone should stay home unless you are: shopping for essentials, receiving medical care, exercising or travelling to work or education.
• People aged over 70, aged over 60 with pre-existing conditions or Indigenous people aged over 50 should stay home wherever possible for their own protection.

Gyms, bars and cinema are now closed. Restaurants remain operational but customers can only get take away food.