I am positive for COVID-19

Many people with COVID-19 can be cared for at home.

People who are COVID positive in the Albury-Wodonga region can receive care from the COVID Positive Community Care Program.

The program provides support while they recover at home.

People who are COVID-19 positive can choose to receive a regular phone call by a health professional to support them with monitoring their health, managing their symptoms  and accessing extra supports if needed.

REMEMBER:

If your illness gets worse, you should call the doctor who cared for you, the  emergency department where you were assessed or the COVID positive Community Care Program on 02 6058 4444 and follow the COVID prompts.

If it is a medical emergency (for example, shortness of breath at rest or difficulty breathing) you should:

Call 000 and request an ambulance

Inform the paramedics that you may have COVID-19, and they should take precautions.

Albury Wodonga Health has provided a book about what you should do if you have COVID-19 and are staying at home.

You can download this here.

Some tips include:

• Isolate yourself at home or in your accommodation until you are advised of the results by the Local Public Health Unit.
  
• You must not leave your house or accommodation except for medical care or in an emergency.
• Separate yourself from the other people in your home by staying in a separate room.
• Wash your hands regularly and cough and sneeze into your elbow or a tissue
• Wear a surgical mask when you are in the same room as other people and keep 1.5 metres apart.
• Use a separate bathroom, if possible.
• Avoid sharing household items including plates, cups, and cutlery.
• Clean household surfaces (tabletops, doors, keyboards, taps and handles).
• Wear a surgical mask and disposable gloves while handling soiled items.
• Dispose of contaminated items like gloves and masks in a lined waste bin.
• Do not have people to visit you inside your home or accommodation.
• Ask friends or family, who are not required to isolate, to get food or other necessities for you. They should leave this outside your door. They should not come into physical contact with you.
• If you have difficulties getting food or necessities, call 1800 675 398 for support.
• If you need a translator first call 131 450, then request the hotline on 1800 675 398. More information is available at coronavirus.vic.gov.au
• Please keep Triple Zero (000) for emergencies only.

Public Health Orders apply when you are required to isolate. Stay home and stay safe. You can leave some in special circumstances, which include if you need to access health care or because of family violence.

Remember, if your illness gets worse, you should call the doctor who cared for you, the COVID positive Community Care Program, an ambulance or the emergency department where you were assessed.

• Drink plenty of water.
  
• Get plenty of rest.
• Use paracetamol or ibuprofen if you are able to take these medicines usually. Do not have more of these medicines than is allowed in a 24-hour period (as per label directions).
• Take your prescribed medications as usual. Ask your Pharmacy to deliver medications if needed.
• Monitor your symptoms closely for signs that your illness is getting worse.
• Answer the phone when the health professional calls.
• If you are very sick or you feel they need urgent medical attention, call 000 for an ambulance and tell them you have COVID-19.
• Call 000 if you have difficulty breathing, are drowsy and can’t get out of bed, are unresponsive or collapse.

If you have a private outdoor area , then it is safe for you to go outside into your garden, balcony, or courtyard.

If you live in an apartment, it is also safe for you to go outside on to your private balcony. You can also go into a communal garden or courtyard area but will need to wear a surgical mask. You should, however, go quickly through any shared areas on the way. Wear a surgical mask if you have to move through these area. Make sure you keep 1.5 metres between yourself and any other people you encounter in shared areas.

Practising good hand and sneeze/cough hygiene is the best defence:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water, including before and after eating as well as after attending the toilet.
• Avoid all contact with others.
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Dispose of the tissue afterwards.
• If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve or elbow.
• Try not to touch your eyes, nose, or mouth.

Being confined to home for an extended period can be challenging and stressful. Tips for looking after yourself include:

• Keep in touch with family members and friends via telephone, email, video calls or social media.
  
• Talk to others about COVID-19. Conversations about your experience is isolation can help reduce anxiety.
• Reassure young children using age-appropriate language.
• Think about how you have coped with difficult situations in the past and reassure yourself that you will cope with this situation too. Remember that isolation won’t last for long.
• Exercise regularly. Options include exercise DVDs and online resources, dancing, floor exercises, yoga, walking around the backyard or using home exercise equipment, such as a stationary bicycle, if you have it. Exercise is a proven treatment for stress and depression.
• Keep up a normal daily routine as much as possible.
• Arrange with your employer to keep working from home if you are feeling well enough.
• Support your child learning from home. Access online resources that are available.
• Don’t rely too heavily on the television and technology. Treat isolation as an opportunity to do some of those things you never usually have time for, such as board games, craft, drawing and reading.
• Access resources online – including advice on sleep, wellbeing and exercising at home. Videos are available at Wellbeing Victoria <https://www.together.vic.gov.au/wellbeing-victoria>.

If you are not coping, talk to your doctor or contact:

Lifeline Australia phone: 13 11 14 - A crisis service that provides support at any time.

Beyond Blue phone: 1300 22 4636 - Provides specialist help for people in isolation.

Kids Helpline phone: 1800 551800 - A free and confidential counselling service for young people.