If you have tested positive to Covid-19, then the drill is to stay and home and take care of yourself. In this post, we share Who to tell, What to tell them, Supports available – Food Relief, Financial Support and Mental Health support. An overview of symptoms and guides to action are included.

What to do if you have tested positive for COVID-19

What to do?

Quarantine at home for 7 days
People you live with or have spent more than four hours with at home must also quarantine for 7 days

Who to tell

Friends and family you have spent time with recently
Your employer
School or daycare of your child

What to tell them

I’ve recently tested positive for COVID-19
We spent time together so you should get tested too
Everything you need to know is available at https://coronavirus.vic.gov.au/checklist-cases

Support is available – know how to access it

Food relief

If you’re quarantining and don’t have family or friends who can help, there is support available for food and personal care items.

Search for food charities in your area through Ask Izzy at https://www.askizzy.org.au

Call the Coronavirus Hotline 24/7 on 1800 675 398. Press zero (0) if you need to speak to someone in your language. Food that caters to cultural and dietary needs is available.

Financial support

If you lose income because you have to isolate you could be eligible for financial assistance. To find our what support you can get go to www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/support or call the Coronavirus Hotline on 1800 675 398.

Mental health support

If you are feeling overwhelmed, you can get help from a Mental Health and Wellbeing Hub. These are a free and confidential service available to everyone in Victoria.

Contact the Mental Health and Wellbeing Hubs by calling 1300 375 330. Need an interpreter? Call TIS National on 131 450.

For more information in English, visit https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au

Know your symptoms and when you need to get help

Mild

Feeling a little unwell but okay. Able to walk around the house and do normal activities.

Runny or blocked nose
Sore throat
Aches and pains
Coughing
Tired
Headache
Loss of taste and smell
Not hungry or feeling sick
Feeling sad, worried or scared
Rest
Drink lots of water
Eat healthy meals
Keep taking any usual medicines

Worsening

Feeling very unwell and tired, struggling to take care of yourself.

Some shortness of breath
Coughing up mucous
Really sore muscles and pains
Very weak and tired
Not peeing very often
Vomiting or diarrhoea
High temperature (over 38 degrees Celsius)
Shaking or shivering

Call your GP or Nurse On-Call (1300 606 024) as soon as possible.
They will advise you what to do next.

Severe

Having difficulty breathing, cannot take care of yourself.

Any difficulty breathing
Chest pain
Coughing up blood
Lips or face turning blue
Feeling dizzy
Fainting or feeling like fainting
Unable to look after yourself
Confused
Can’t keep your eyes open

Call Triple Zero (000) and tell them you have COVID-19.