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UPDATED COVID-19 commonly asked questions

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UPDATED COVID-19 commonly asked questions

Last updated 14 October 2022

Do you have a question about COVID-19?

ACD Tas has put together some commonly asked questions to help you and your family stay safe and informed.

What are the symptoms of COVID-19?

COVID-19 symptoms are wide-ranging and are experienced differently by each person. Some people may experience one symptom or several.

Symptoms of COVID-19 include:

– fever (a temperature of 37.5˚C or higher)

– chills or night sweats

– cough

– sore throat

– tiredness (fatigue)

– difficulty breathing

– headache

– muscle pain (myalgia)

– loss of sense of smell (anosmia)

– distortion of sense of taste (dysgeusia)

– nausea and vomiting

– joint pain

– loss of appetite

– runny nose

– acute blocked nose (congestion).

There are other symptoms that are uncommon. These include chest pain, diarrhoea, skin rash and red/irritated eyes.

Are my symptoms the flu, a cold or allergies?

Both COVID-19 and the flu are infections and can cause respiratory symptoms which could lead to a sore throat, runny nose and cough, as well as a fever. There are a few differences between the two. Muscle pains and headaches being more associated with the ‘flu. However, the only way to know if a person has COVID-19 is by getting a test.

Allergies can also have similar symptoms to COVID-19, however there are some key differences between the two. Fever is a common symptom of COVID-19, but does not occur with allergies. Allergy symptoms can also include itchy or watery eyes, and sneezing.

How long before COVID symptoms show?

Symptoms of COVID-19 can appear between 1 to 14 days after a person is exposed to the virus. A person with COVID-19 can also be asymptomatic, meaning they do not feel or show any symptoms but can still be infectious to others.

There are indications that COVID-19 can be transmissible up to three days prior to a person showing symptoms.

Australia’s deputy Chief Medical Officer, Dr Michael Kidd, says the best way to try to prevent long COVID is through vaccination.

“What we know is [that] vaccination is one of the ways of reducing the risk of developing long COVID,” he said.

“As well as providing all the other benefits of vaccination, of reducing the risk of you being infected with COVID-19, reducing the risk of transmitting COVID-19 to other people and, of course, dramatically reducing the risk of becoming seriously unwell or requiring hospitalisation with COVID-19.”

When should I get a COVID-19 test?

You should get tested if:

– you have symptoms of COVID-19, even if they are mild and you are vaccinated;

– you are a close contact of someone who has tested positive for COVID-19;

– you are directed to by Public Health.

For more information see the Tasmanian government’s Advice for case contacts.

Anyone who is symptomatic or a close contact of a COVID-19 case must first test themselves with a Rapid Antigen Test (RAT). National health guidelines state that, if you test negative for COVID-19 with a RAT but still have symptoms, you should test with a new RAT the next day or arrange a PCR test at a testing clinic. Even if you have had a COVID-19 vaccine, you should still get tested if you have COVID-19 symptoms

Where do I get a COVID-19 test near me?

Free PCR tests in Tasmania are available at:

– Drives through testing clinics in Hobart, Launceston, Devonport and Burnie.* Bookings are available at the Macquarie Point, Hobart and Launceston sites

– Respiratory clinics in Hobart, Launceston and St Helens

*The Burnie clinic will be closing on Sunday 9 October 2022.

Your local GP may also offer PCR testing, note that GPs may charge a consultation fee.

Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) are sold at supermarkets and pharmacies (nasal swab, saliva and lollipop or stick RATs are now available in Tasmania). Free RATs are available to concession card holders from Service Tasmania, and free RAT allocation consists of 10 RATs over a 3 month period, with a maximum of 5 per month. You can find your nearest Service Tasmania centre by using their Find a Service Centre page.

RATs are also available free through Public Health if you have symptoms or are a close contact of someone with COVID-19. RATs can be obtained by registering using the RAT online registration form or by phoning 1800 671 738. You will be advised where to collect your RAT. If you can’t travel to a distribution centre, your RAT will be sent to you via courier.

You can still get a free PCR test if you are symptomatic or a close contact, and bookings will no longer be required at the state-operated PCR clinics in Hobart, Launceston and Burnie. For more information or to check locations, phone671 738 or visit TAS COVID-19 testing locations.

If you want to book a PCR test with your GP, it is important that you call ahead and tell them about your symptoms and any possible exposure to the virus from travel or contacts.

How long does a COVID-19 test result take?

It may take up to two days to receive the results of your COVID-19 PCR test and, in busier states it may take longer. RAT test results take 15 minutes as they are self-administered.

How you receive your test result will depend on where you had your test.

If your test result is positive, you are not required to isolate, although Public Health is still recommended positive cases stay at home while unwell. They are also encouraging Tasmanians to continue to practice COVID safe behaviours to reduce the spread of the virus and protect those at risk of sever illness in the community.

 

Do not have visitors while in isolation (even if they are also in isolation or quarantine). Tell family, friends and neighbours not to visit. Consider putting a note on your door to let people know.

If you become very unwell or have difficulty breathing, call Triple Zero (000) and ask for an ambulance. Let the operator know you have had a COVID-19 test and are awaiting your test result.

If you feel stressed or anxious while you wait for your results, talk with someone. Lifeline has a dedicated service to help Tasmanians effected by COVID-19. Call 1800 984 434 from 8am to 8pm, 7 days a week.

 

What if I’m re-exposed to COVID-19?

Within 4 weeks of your release from isolation: if you become a close contact of a confirmed case, you will not need to follow close contact requirements.

After 4 weeks from your release from isolation: if you become a close contact of a confirmed case, you will need for follow close contact requirements.

 

What happens if my rapid antigen test is positive, and what if it is negative?

If you record a positive result, you must register it on the Tasmanian Government’s coronavirus website using the RAT Positive Declaration Form, or by phoning 1800 671 738. There is no need to follow up with a PCR test unless you choose to have one.

If you don’t register your positive RAT, you won’t be able to receive medical assistance via the Covid at Home program, financial support, or pandemic leave.

If your RAT is negative, stay at home until your symptoms have stopped. From Monday 2 May, you will not be required to quarantine provided you have no symptoms and return a daily negative RAT or PCR test.

For more information on what to do, see the Tasmanian Government’s coronavirus webpage What to do if you test positive to COVID-19 – Checklist.

 

What should my close contacts do if I test positive to COVID-19?

You must tell your close contacts about your positive test result, and they must:

– Test for COVID-19 daily;

– Wear a mask in all indoor settings outside the home;

– No attend high risk settings (eg. hospitals) unless they are a critical worker and have an exemption;

– Inform their workplace they are a close contact.

It is also recommended they work from home where possible, avoid large gatherings and social events, avoid contact with vulnerable or at risk people, and maintain COVID safe behaviours.

Some workplaces are entitled to exemptions if their workforce are considered essential workers. Workplaces must apply to Worksafe for these exemptions. To see a list of these industries and for more  information see  the Tasmanian Government’s Coronavirus website’s Temporary exemption from close contact quarantine for critical workers in critical industries page.

 

Do my children need to be vaccinated to attend school?

No. Students do not need to be vaccinated to attend school. Students will not be separated into groups of those who are vaccinated and unvaccinated. It doesn’t matter if your child only has one vaccine dose when school returns – all students, regardless of their vaccination status, will be allowed to attend school. Public health recommends that all children aged five years and older should be vaccinated.

 

Do parents need to be vaccinated to enter the school?

Parents and carers can go onto school sites. COVID-19 vaccination is strongly recommended.

Schools will make local decisions on site access, which they will communicate to the school community. When entering the school site, you will need to practice COVID-safe behaviours, such as wearing a face mask, washing hands and using sanitiser and checking in using the Check in Tas app.

For more information on visiting your child’s school, see the Tasmanian Department of Education’s COVID-19 frequently asked questions for parents and carers.

 How soon after having COVID-19 can my child be vaccinated?

Public Health Tasmania recommend vaccinating children as soon as they are no longer showing symptoms.

 

Can my child under 5 get a COVID-19 vaccination?

Eligible children aged 6 months to under 5 years with medical conditions that increase the risk of sever COVID-19 can be vaccinated. Including children with the following or similar conditions:

– Severe primary or secondary immunodeficiency, including those undergoing treatment for cancer, or on immunosuppressive treatments;

– Bone marrow or stem cell transplant or chimeric antigen T-c;ell (CAR-T) therapy;

– Complex congenital cardiac disease;

– Structural airway anomalies or chronic lung disease;

– Type 1 diabetes mellitus;

– Chronic neurological or neuromuscular conditions;

– A disability that requires frequent assistance with activities of daily living, such as severe cerebral palsy or Down Syndrome (Trisomy 21).

 

Can my child get a booster?

At the moment, children aged 16 and over can already get a booster, and children aged 12-15 can have their first booster if their primary dose was 3 months or more before and they:

– are severely immunocompromised;

– have a disability with significant complex health needs;

– have complex and/or multiple health conditions which increase the risk of severe COVID-19.

Note: Pfizer is the only vaccine available to these 12-15 year olds.

When should we be getting flu shots and can they be given at the same time as COVID-19 vaccine?

The Department of Health has released its Winter Strategy for flu and ongoing COVID-19 vaccination, and you can take a look on the Tasmanian Government’s coronavirus website.

Anyone over 6 months of age can get a flu shot, and they can be given on the same day as a COVID-19 vaccine. Please consult your doctor if you have questions about the flu vaccine and whether it is appropriate for you and your family.

 

What about winter vaccination (4th or 5th) doses? Who is eligible for these?

The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) have issued advice recommending a winter dose of COVID 19 vaccine.

Both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are recommended for this winter dose, which should be administered 3 months after the booster dose.

Groups eligible for the winter dose are:

– People aged 50 years and over;

– People aged 30 – 49 years may receive it, although the benefit for this age group is ‘less certain;’

– Residents of aged or disability care facilities* aged 16 and over;

– People aged 16 and over who have medical conditions that increase their risk of severe COVID-19 infection. These conditions include:

Immunocompromising conditions;

Cancers;

Specific chronic inflammatory conditions;

Chronic lung disease;

Chronic liver disease;

Severe chronic kidney disease;

Chronic neurological disease;

Diabetes requiring medication;

Chronic cardiac disease;

People with disability with significant or complex health needs or multiple comorbidities which increase the risk of poor outcomes from COVID-19;

Severe obesity;

Severely underweight.

*ACD Tas understands from current Public Health advice that this type of facility is one where 2 or more people live in a group living arrangement that is NOT a private residence.

People who are eligible for the winter dose, but have had a recent infection of COVID-19, should delay their winter booster until 3 months after their infection.

For more information or to check if you or your family are eligible, please phone the Public Health Hotline on 1800 671 738 or visit the Tasmanian Government’s coronavirus webpage Who can get a vaccine.

For more about vaccination, see Getting the Vaccination.

 

This article has compiled information from ABC News, the Tasmanian Government’s Coronavirus website, the Tasmanian Department of Education and the Australian Department of Health.

Have you got a COVID plan?

A Covid plan is some forward-thinking for your family to ensure you have the right support if something out of the ordinary happens due to Covid.

Check out our useful COVID template, My COVID Plan to help you put together a list of your supports, key and emergency contacts, and allied health providers in the one place.

Remember you can contact our Peer Network Hub Team on 1800 244 742 with any questions (Monday-Friday, 9AM-5PM excluding public holidays).