March 26, 2020

About Corona Virus

COVID-19 Symptoms, Risk Factors and Support Information

COVID-19 is a contagious respiratory illness that can affect people of all ages. While many individuals experience mild symptoms, some people may develop more severe illness requiring medical attention. Understanding the symptoms, risk factors, and available support services can help you take appropriate action if you become unwell.

What Is COVID-19?

COVID-19 is a respiratory disease caused by a coronavirus known as SARS-CoV-2. Since its emergence, the virus has affected communities worldwide and continues to be monitored by health authorities.

The illness can range from mild cold-like symptoms to more serious respiratory complications, depending on the individual and their overall health.

Who Is Most at Risk of Severe COVID-19 Illness?

Although COVID-19 can affect anyone, certain groups are more likely to experience severe symptoms and complications.

Higher-risk groups include:

  • Older adults
  • People with chronic respiratory conditions
  • Individuals with heart disease
  • People living with diabetes
  • Those with weakened immune systems
  • Individuals with multiple underlying health conditions

These individuals should seek medical advice promptly if symptoms develop or worsen.

What Are the Common Symptoms of COVID-19?

Symptoms of COVID-19 can vary from person to person and may appear within days of exposure to the virus.

Common symptoms include:

  • Fever or chills
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath or breathing difficulties
  • Sore throat
  • Fatigue or tiredness
  • Runny or blocked nose
  • Headache
  • Muscle or body aches
  • Loss of taste or smell

Some people may experience only mild symptoms, while others may develop more significant respiratory illness.

What Should You Do If You Have COVID-19 Symptoms?

If you develop symptoms that may be associated with COVID-19, it is important to:

  • Stay home and avoid contact with others where possible
  • Follow current public health advice in your area
  • Seek medical guidance if symptoms worsen
  • Monitor your symptoms closely, particularly if you are in a higher-risk group

Anyone experiencing severe symptoms, such as significant breathing difficulties, should seek urgent medical attention.

Where Can You Find Reliable COVID-19 Information?

As information about respiratory illnesses can change over time, it is important to rely on trusted health authorities and official government sources for the latest updates and recommendations.

Reliable sources can provide guidance on:

  • Current symptoms and risk factors
  • Testing recommendations
  • Isolation requirements
  • Vaccination information
  • Public health advice

When Should You Seek Emergency Medical Assistance?

Most people recover from COVID-19 without requiring emergency care. However, urgent medical assistance may be necessary if someone experiences:

  • Severe difficulty breathing
  • Chest pain or pressure
  • Sudden confusion
  • Loss of consciousness
  • Any other serious or rapidly worsening symptoms

In a medical emergency, contact emergency services immediately.

Why Is Staying Informed Important?

Accurate information helps individuals make informed decisions about their health and wellbeing. Understanding the symptoms of COVID-19, recognising risk factors, and following current health advice can help reduce the spread of infection and protect vulnerable members of the community.

Staying informed through reputable sources ensures you have access to the latest recommendations and support when needed.

What's new as of 26th March 2020

What’s new?

Developments in the outbreak

  • As of 26 March 2020, Victoria has 520 total confirmed cases, including three people in intensive care and three people who have died. 149 people have recovered.
  • Up-to-date epidemiological data is now available on our website.
  • From midnight 25 March, category three surgeries will not take place in public hospitals in Victoria until further notice.
  • Physical (social) distancing measures should be consistently applied, including clinical settings. The rule of 1 person for every 4 square metres must be maintained to ensure a safe physical distance.

New Orders for Pharmacists and Prescription medications

  • Today, two public health emergency orders came into effect and can be found here: http://www.gazette.vic.gov.au/gazette/Gazettes2020/GG2020S158.pdf
    • Pharmacists can supply prescription medications without a prescription for one month in emergency circumstances except for Schedule 8 medicines.
    • Doctors prescribing Schedule 8 medicines for non-drug dependent patients will not be required to apply for a Schedule 8 treatment permit for the next six months, but instead check SafeScript.
    • Practitioners will need to apply for Schedule 8 treatment permits for drug dependent patients, including opioid replacement therapy.
  • During the pandemic health practitioners should take all reasonable steps to access SafeScript, as it is a very effective in providing up-to-date information about a patient’s prescribing and dispensing history.

Current directions arising from the declared state of emergency

  • A direction for non-essential activity (No 2) was signed on 26 March 2020. This direction prohibits the operation of non-essential businesses and undertakings to slow the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19). These directions update the non-essential activity direction from 25 March.
  • A prohibited gatherings directions was signed on 25 March 2020. This direction replaces the direction given on 22 March, adding two new categories, namely social sports gatherings and weddings and funerals.
  • An isolation (diagnosis) direction was signed on 25 March 2020. This direction requires anyone diagnosed with coronavirus (COVID-19) to isolate at home or another suitable location to slow the spread of the disease.
  • A direction for hospital visitors was signed on 23 March 2020. This direction prohibits non-essential visits to hospitals.
  • This follows directions for aged care, airport arrivals and cruise ships docking that were signed on 21 March 2020. The Aged Care Directions make provision for restricted access to residential aged care facilities to limit the spread of COVID-19 within a particularly vulnerable population.

Key messages

Supporting healthcare workers

  • It’s everyone’s responsibility to support essential healthcare workers – such as doctors and nurses – to stay at work during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.
  • Healthcare workers may need extra help to ensure their children have care so they can work during this period.
  • Where possible, partners of essential healthcare workers – who are not healthcare workers themselves – should support them to continue working by taking care of children.
  • Older people – such as grandparents – and other at-risk groups should not be engaged as carers to reduce their risk of infection.
  • Victoria will expand its dedicated contact tracing services. From 26 March messages to close contacts will be sent via a new platform called Whispr, which will require the person to respond back to the contact tracing team confirming they are self-isolating at home.
  • Any healthcare or residential aged care worker with a fever or respiratory symptoms should be tested.
  • The government is encouraging the community to limit their day-to-day activities outside their homes.
  • Additional personal protective equipment and testing equipment are due to arrive in the coming weeks.

Resources and Posters

Resources

World Health Organisation (WHO) COVID-19 myth buster information
DHHS Heath Provider Quick Reference Guide
DHHS COVID-19 self-assessment checklist

Posters

Ten ways to reduce your risk of coronavirus (PDF)
Ten ways to reduce your risk of coronavirus (Word)
Wash your hands regularly poster
Wash your hands regularly poster – Simplified Chinese (PDF)
Wash your hands regularly poster – Arabic (PDF)
Cover your cough and sneeze poster
Cover your cough and sneeze poster – Simplified Chinese (PDF)
Cover your cough and sneeze poster – Arabic (PDF)
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) Factsheet for the Victorian public – updated 03 March 2020
Novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) factsheet for Victorians – Simplified Chinese
Coronavirus disease (COVID-2019) Advice for Victorians poster – Arabic (PDF)
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) factsheet for people aged over 65 years (Word)
Home Isolation Guidance – Australian Federal Government
Myth busting – Novel Coronavirus