Every day, one in every 1,000 people in Australia tests positive for COVID-19 and that number is rising. So, what should you do if you catch the virus?
Here are all your questions answered:
I have flu-like symptoms, what should I do?
If you have symptoms such as a runny nose, cough or sore throat, you should assume it is COVID-19 and isolate. If you are feeling well enough, you can try to get a PCR test at your local clinic.
While there have been issues with testing queues across the country in recent weeks, people with symptoms are prioritised for PCR testing and urged to continue to come forward for a swab.
This is what NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet said on Wednesday: “If you are not required to get a PCR test, please do not line up in that queue. We need people who are feeling unwell, or who are classified close contacts - that is somebody who is a member of a household of somebody who is positive with COVID, or somebody who was advised by NSW Health to get tested - to be able to get that test, and for that turnaround time to be improved.”
The other option is to do a rapid antigen test (RAT) if you can find one at your local pharmacy (or have a friend or family member drop one at your door). These tests are easy to do and the instructions inside the package will guide you through the process.
RAT kits are a scarce commodity, but supply issues will ease over the coming weeks as a total of 200 million kits have been ordered by various state governments.
NSW will also start rolling out RATs next week at walk-in and drive-through clinics to get more people tested in a timely manner.
People queue in their cars outside a drive-through COVID-19 PCR testing clinic in the Sydney suburb of Mascot on 3 January. Source: AAP/Bianca De Marchi
But, if you can't get your hands on a test, doctors say the best thing you can do is stay home.
“This is a very possible scenario … you must assume you have Omicron and isolate as if you have got it,” said the president of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, Dr Karen Price.
I have received a positive test, what now?
Under changes announced at National Cabinet this week, people who test positive on a rapid test no longer need to confirm this result with a PCR test.
Instead, you can ring your GP and inform them of the positive test or in Victoria it can be reported directly to the Health Department through an online form, from this Friday.
However, doctors have said there could be a few teething issues with the new system.
“We’re not clear on how that works right now, we’re discussing it amongst ourselves and certainly having discussions with the Department of Health about how this will work,” Dr Price said.
If you receive a positive PCR test your details will automatically register with your state's health department and you'll be sent a text about what to do next.
High-risk patients should contact their GP, regardless of the type of test undertaken, as there are some drugs available to reduce the effect of the illness, but these work best if taken early.
High-risk patients are people with chronic illnesses (including obesity), unvaccinated, over the age of 65 or pregnant.
“People with co-morbid conditions, we [GPs] can escalate them through to Sotrovimab, which is an intravenous immune support medication, and for those vulnerable cohorts its important that they get access to that very early on in their disease,” Dr Price said.
How long do I need to isolate for?
In NSW, Victoria, Queensland, Tasmania and the ACT you need to isolate for seven days. In South Australia the isolation period is 10 days. It’s 14 days in the Northern Territory and positive cases in Western Australia need to remain in isolation until cleared by health staff.
The day you were swabbed for COVID-19 is considered day 0 of isolation.
Who do I need to tell?
You need to tell your household contacts (family or housemates) and people you have spent more than four hours with in a ‘household-like’ situation recently (including intimate partners) that you are positive for COVID-19. They must also get tested and isolate for at least seven days (more in Western Australia).
Also, tell your workplace and social contacts that you have tested positive so they can monitor for symptoms and get tested if needed. In Western Australia these casual contacts need to isolate.
What symptoms can I expect?
Most vaccinated adults will experience mild cold-like symptoms, such as a cough, sore throat and runny nose.
“Some Panadol or Nurofen or something like that help them manage,” Dr Price said.
“When we move into moderate [symptoms] that’s when we start to get a bit more fever, a bit more weakness, a potential for dehydration, dizziness.”
“This is when they [the patient] will need some monitoring and we recommend considering getting a pulse oximeter.”
A pulse oximeter is a peg-like finger clamp that measures the oxygen saturation in the blood and heart rate and can be purchased at pharmacies.
If you are experiencing severe symptoms, then - and only then - is it time to call an ambulance.
“Just look after yourself at home … only consider seeking going to an emergency department or dialling 000 if you have major symptoms such as significant breathlessness, significant chest pain or fainting or significant dizziness,” the Queensland Chief Health Officer Dr John Gerrard said.
“Also if you are not improving within 48 to 72 hours, because the vast majority of people improve within 48 to 72 hours.”
Parents are urged to monitor feeding in their children and if they’re not eating and are drowsy, medical help should be sought.
Who can I call for help?
If you are experiencing severe symptoms you should call 000 and tell the operator you have COVID-19.
The disease can escalate quickly and is a serious illness in some people.
That said, most will only experience mild symptoms and can recover from home. If you can stay home, you should do so, as emergency departments are under significant strain.
More than 3,000 health workers in NSW have been furloughed, due to COVID-19 cases in their house or because they have tested positive themselves. More than 500 have been furloughed in South Australia.
“Our emergency departments are under extreme pressure as is our ambulance service. Our plea to people is do not call triple zero unless you have an emergency. Please do not fill those lines with enquiries that could be directed elsewhere,” the deputy secretary of NSW Health Susan Pearce said on Wednesday.
A hospital patient with a pulse oximeter on their finger. Source: TASS/Sipa USA/Erik Romanenko
“Our emergency departments are not the place for a PCR test or a RAT test. They are there to deal with people who are there with life-threatening emergencies and will always be prioritised.”
It is a sentiment echoed by the Queensland’s Chief Health Officer.
“We've had a lot of reports of people dialling triple zero the moment they get a diagnosis of COVID-19, even with very mild symptoms, and that's really is causing a problem in many of our emergency departments, and it's not necessary,” Dr Gerrard said.
The first point of call should be your GP or the Nurse on Call hotline (1300 60 60 24). Nurse on Call is free, over the phone advice, provided to all Australians.
People in NSW can also contact the state’s COVID-19 Care at Home Support Line on 1800 960 933 for further assistance.
Where can I get more information?
The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners has put together about caring for COVID-19 at home.
The federal government's has links to various resources from each state and territory.
