WHO declares Coronavirus pandemic

Coronavirus has officially been declared a pandemic by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

The best way to protect yourself from COVID-19 is the same way you would protect yourself from catching flu or other respiratory illness: - Clean your hands with soap and water or hand sanitiser. - Cover your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze. - Avoid close contact with anyone with cold or flu-like symptoms. - Stay home if you are sick.

The media and social media is awash with information on Coronavirus. Some is accurate .... and most is NOT.

THERE IS ONLY one place to go for OFFICIAL, ACCURATE and timely information for NSW residents

https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/alerts/Pages/coronavirus-faqs.aspx Below are ANSWERS to COVID-19 - Frequently asked questions: (source) What are coronaviruses?

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses. Some coronaviruses cause illness in humans and others cause illness in animals, such as bats, camels, and civets. Human coronaviruses generally cause mild illness, such as the common cold.

Rarely, animal coronaviruses can evolve to infect and spread among humans, causing severe diseases such as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) which emerged in 2002, and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) which emerged in 2012.

What is the COVID-19 virus?

COVID-19 is a new strain of coronavirus that has not been previously identified in humans. It was first identified in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China, where it has caused a large and ongoing outbreak. It has since spread more widely in China. Cases have since been identified in several other countries. The COVID-19 virus is closely related to a bat coronavirus.

There is much more to learn about how COVID-19 is spread, its severity, and other features associated with the virus; epidemiological and clinical investigations are ongoing.

Outbreaks of new coronavirus infections among people are always a public health concern. The situation is evolving rapidly.

How is the virus spread?

Human coronaviruses are spread from someone with confirmed coronavirus to other close contacts with that person through contaminated droplets spread by coughing or sneezing, or by contact with contaminated hands, surfaces or objects.

The time between when a person is exposed to the virus and when symptoms first appear is typically 5 to 6 days, although may range from 2 to 14 days. For this reason, people who might have been in contact with a confirmed case are being asked to self-isolate for 14 days.

Most COVID-19 cases appear to be spread from people who have symptoms. A small number of people may have been infectious before their symptoms developed.

How long does COVID-19 last on surfaces?

According to the World Health Organization, it is not certain how long the virus that causes COVID-19 survives on surfaces, but it seems to behave like other coronaviruses. Studies suggest that coronaviruses (including preliminary information on the COVID-19 virus) may persist on surfaces for a few hours or up to several days. This may vary under different conditions (e.g. type of surface, temperature or humidity of the environment).

If you think a surface may be infected, clean it with a common household disinfectant to kill the virus and protect yourself and others. Clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap and water. Avoid touching your eyes, mouth, or nose.

What are the symptoms?

Patients may have fever, cough, runny nose, shortness of breath and other symptoms.

In more severe cases, infection can cause pneumonia with severe acute respiratory distress.

I have travelled to a higher risk country. What should I do?

For a list of higher risk countries, refer to Department of Health - COVID-19: Countries and regions considered to pose a risk of transmission.

If you have been in, departed from, or transited through a higher risk country in the last 14 days, you should:

self isolate yourself from others for 14 days from the day you departed the affected country and monitor yourself for symptoms

If you develop a fever or respiratory symptoms, please:

call your doctor or healthdirect on 1800 022 222. When you call, tell them where you have travelled or if you have been in contact with a confirmed case. or (if your symptoms are severe)visit your local Emergency Department. When you arrive, immediately tell staff where you have travelled or if you have been in contact with a confirmed case.

If you have symptoms it is important that don’t go to work, school/university/childcare, the gym, or public areas, and you should not use public transport, taxis, or ride-sharing services. If you need to seek medical care wear a surgical mask if available when attending. You should not use public transport, taxis, or ride-sharing services to get to your doctor or emergency department.

I have travelled to another country. What should I do?

The risk of exposure to COVID-19 is believed to be highest for those people who have travelled through a higher risk country. However, there are an increasing number of other countries at risk of COVID-19.

If you have travelled overseas to another country in the past 14 days you should self-monitor for symptoms, practice social distancing as much as possible and immediately isolate yourself if you become unwell.

Social distancing means separating yourself from other people as much as possible when you’re in public places, and avoiding crowded places. Practically, you should:

attempt to keep a distance of 1.5 metres between yourself and otheravoid crowds and mass gatherings where it is difficult to keep the appropriate distance away from othersavoid small gatherings in enclosed spaces, for example family celebrationsavoid shaking hands, hugging, or kissing other peopleavoid visiting vulnerable people, such as those in aged care facilities or hospitals, infants, or people with compromised immune systems due to illness or medical treatment.

During the 14 days you are asked to practice social distancing, you can travel to work or school using public transport if you have no other way of travelling there. Please try to separate yourself from other passengers as much as possible

You should also:

maintain hand hygiene by regularly cleaning hands thoroughly with soap and water, or use an alcohol-based hand rub. Clean your hands:

before entering an area used by other people after using the bathroom after coughing or sneezing before preparing food or eating.practice good cough etiquette: cover your coughs and sneezes with disposable tissues or clothing (e.g. into elbow), dispose of used tissues, and clean your hands afterwards.

Social distancing is an effective measure, but it is recognised that it cannot be practised in all situations and the aim is to reduce potential for transmission. It is important that everyone does their part to limit spread of COVID-19. This will help protect vulnerable people in our community and reduce the burden on our hospitals.

If you develop a fever or respiratory symptoms, please:

call your doctor or healthdirect on 1800 022 222. When you call, tell them where you have travelled. or (if your symptoms are severe)visit your local Emergency Department. When you arrive, immediately tell staff where you have travelled.

It is important if you have symptoms you should not go to work, school/university/childcare, the gym, or public areas, and you should not use public transport, taxis, or ride-sharing services. If you need to seek medical care wear a surgical mask if available when attending.

Should I avoid attending public events, for example, religious celebrations, music festivals or sporting matches?

The COVID-19 situation continues to evolve rapidly. At this stage, the risk of community spread of COVID-19 in NSW is low. In accordance with the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC) statement, NSW Health does not propose altering arrangements for public events. It is important to note that this advice is subject to change as the situation evolves.

If you are an event organiser, NSW Health encourages you to focus on:

reminding the public and event workers not to attend if they are feeling unwellreminding the public and event workers they must not attend if they have been to a country considered at higher risk of COVID-19 (excluding airport transit) in the past 14 daysensuring your emergency management plan is up to datebriefing your event staff on how to practice good hygiene and making it easy for staff and attendees to practice good hygienehaving adequate hand washing facilities available.

If you are an attendee, NSW Health encourages you to:

stay home and not attend if you are feeling unwell stay home and not attend if you have been to a country considered at higher risk of COVID-19 (excluding airport transit) in the past 14 days practice simple hygiene by:

making sure to clean your hands thoroughly for at least 20 seconds with soap and water, or use an alcohol-based hand rubcovering your nose and mouth when coughing and sneezing with tissue or a flexed elbow.

How long does the COVID-19 infection last?

The infection period for the virus will vary from person to person. Mild symptoms in an otherwise healthy individual may resolve over just a few days.  Similar to influenza, for an individual with other ongoing health issues, such as a respiratory condition, recovery may take weeks and in severe cases could be potentially fatal.

What if I don’t have Medicare?

Most people that are not eligible for Medicare will have health or travel insurance. For those that do not have adequate insurance coverage, NSW Health will waive these costs.  This includes the waiving of payment and debt recovery procedures for ambulance transfers of people suspected to have COVID-19 infection, who are taken to NSW Health facilities for assessment.

These arrangements have been put in place to ensure payment issues are not a barrier for people from overseas with respiratory symptoms seeking early medical advice.

How is COVID-19 diagnosed?

Infection with COVID-19 is diagnosed by finding evidence of the virus in respiratory samples such as swabs from the back of the nose and throat or fluid from the lungs. Testing for COVID-19 is done in public health laboratories.

What should I do if I come into contact with a person with COVID-19?

If you have been identified as a contact of a person with confirmed COVID-19 infection in Australia, the local public health unit will contact you with advice. You need to isolate yourself at home for 14 days after contact with the infected person, and to monitor your health and report any symptoms.

Person to person spread of coronaviruses generally occurs between people who are close contacts with one another. A close contact is typically someone who has been face to face for at least 15 minutes, or been in the same closed space for at least 2 hours, with a person that was infectious. The public health unit will keep in touch with people who are close contacts of patients with COVID-19 infection. If any symptoms develop contacts must call the public health unit to report those symptoms.

If your contact with the person was less than this, there is a much smaller risk of you being infected. However, as a precaution you must still monitor your health until 14 days after you were last exposed to the infectious person. If you develop symptoms including a fever and/or respiratory signs, please call ahead to talk to a doctor or call healthdirect on 1800 022 222. Tell your doctor that you have been in contact with someone with COVID-19.​ The doctor may tell you to attend your nearest emergency department – if so when you arrive, immediately tell staff you have had contact with someone with COVID-19.

More information about home isolation is available for:

people suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19 infectionclose contacts and recently returned travellers from mainland China, Iran or South Korea.

Practice simple hygiene by:

making sure ​to clean your hands thoroughly for at least 20 seconds with soap and water, or use an alcohol-based hand rubcover your nose and mouth when coughing and sneezing with tissue or a flexed elbow

Who is at risk?

People who have:

been in contact with a person with COVID-19visited or transited through a higher risk country in the previous 14 days

As there is increasing community transmission in a number of countries around the world, anyone who has travelled overseas in the past 14 days is at increased risk.

People with underlying illnesses that make them more vulnerable to respiratory disease, including those with diabetes, chronic lung disease, kidney failure, people with suppressed immune systems and older people are at a higher risk of serious disease.

How is it prevented?

Clean your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds, or an alcohol-based hand rub.Cover your nose and mouth when coughing and sneezing with tissue or a flexed elbowAvoid close contact with anyone with cold or flu-like symptoms.Practice cough etiquette (keep away from other people, cover coughs and sneezes with disposable tissues or clothing, and clean your hands.Travellers to Asia should not visit live bird and animal markets, including ‘wet’ markets.

Is there a cure or vaccine?

There are no vaccines that protect against COVID-19.

There is no specific treatment for COVID-19. Early diagnosis and general supportive care are important. Most of the time, symptoms will resolve on their own. People who have serious disease with complications can be cared for in hospital.

Has my doctor been informed?

Health workers in NSW public hospital emergency departments as well as community-based general practitioners are aware of the symptoms and actions to take to prevent the spread of COVID-19 through careful infection control measures.

What if I am unable to speak to my doctor?

If you are after medical advice and your general practitioner is not able to speak with you, you can call healthdirect on 1800 022 222. They will be able to discuss your symptoms and travel history with you, to help decide if COVID-19 testing is recommended.

How do I get tested for COVID-19?

Testing can be ordered by your GP, or at a hospital emergency department.

How are other coronaviruses tested?

COVID-19 is one kind of coronavirus, but there are other kinds of coronaviruses that have infected people for many years around the world, including in Australia. If you are sick with a respiratory infection (for example you have a cough, runny nose, sore throat or fever), the doctor may order a swab from the back of your nose or throat for testing. Many laboratories will test the swab for several different viruses. This test is called a multiplex viral respiratory panel, which often include tests for these other coronaviruses. These tests currently do not test for COVID-19 and do not indicate whether it is present or absent.

Are people in NSW at risk?

COVID-19 was first identified in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China, where it has caused a large and ongoing outbreak. It has since spread more widely in China, Iran and in several other countries.

NSW Health has developed and exercised a range of procedures for case finding, diagnosis, and contact tracing for high consequence infectious diseases (such as pandemic influenza, SARS, MERS, and emerging infections) should they occur in NSW. These procedures are being used to identify contacts of any confirmed cases of COVID-19 in NSW.

What arrangements are in place for checking people at airports?

The Australian Government has put in place protective measures at all international ports. For the most recent advice from the Australian Government, please visit Department of Health -Coronavirus (COVID-19).

What arrangements are in place for checking people who arrive at sea ports?

For each cruise ship arriving into NSW from overseas, a NSW Health expert panel conducts a risk assessment based on the ports visited, whether passengers and crew have a risk of exposure to COVID-19, whether the ship’s doctor has identified a respiratory outbreak on board, and the results of test results done on board the ship.

Following this risk assessment, further assessment may be done when the ship docks, including checking people with fever and respiratory symptoms or who have risk of exposure to COVID-19, and testing them for respiratory infections, including COVID-19. As there is an incubation period (before symptoms develop and tests are positive) for all infections including COVID-19, screening people for disease is not a failsafe, and is only one piece of the assessment.

Cruise ships have large number of passengers (often thousands), many of whom are older and have chronic medical conditions. Respiratory infections (unrelated to COVID-19) among passengers and crew are common on cruise ships. Cruise ships are responsible for, and have policies to prevent and manage outbreaks of disease on board.

Australians on cruise ships

An outbreak of COVID-19 occurred on the Diamond Princess cruise ship which was docked in Japan. Although initial reports indicated that a person on the Westerdam ship in Cambodia had been infected, the infection has not been confirmed.

If you are concerned about someone on one of the Diamond Princess, please call the DFAT consular emergency line.

For more information see the Australian Department of Health Coronavirus (COVID-19).

What is the public health response to COVID-19?

Infection with COVID-19 is a notifiable condition under the NSW Public Health Act 2010, so doctors and pathology laboratories are required to notify NSW Health of all people suspected or confirmed to have the infection.

Public health unit staff will investigate all cases to find out how the infection occurred, identify other people at risk of infection, implement control measures and provide other advice.​

Protecting against COVID-19

How can I protect myself / my family?

The best way to protect yourself is the same as you would against any respiratory infection. Practice good hygiene by:

making sure to clean your hands thoroughly for at least 20 seconds with soap and water, or an alcohol-based hand rubcover your nose and mouth when coughing and sneezing with tissue or a flexed elbow avoid close contact with anyone with cold or flu-like symptoms.

Make sure you stay home if you are sick.

Do face masks protect against COVID-19? Which face masks?

Face masks are not recommended for the general population.

People who have symptoms and might be infected with COVID-19 are required to stay in isolation at home and should wear a surgical face mask when in the same room as another person and when seeking medical advice to reduce the risk of transmitting COVID-19 to anyone else.

Health care workers who are caring for patients with suspected COVID-19 should use appropriate personal protective equipment to protect themselves against COVID-19. For more information refer to Clinical Excellence Commission (CEC) - Coronavirus COVID-19.

Are there enough face masks in NSW?

Additional supplies of face masks have been distributed for specific health workers by NSW Health and the Australian Government to meet current demand. NSW Health will continue to monitor supplies of face masks in NSW.

How is hospital equipment and furniture being cleaned to protect against COVID-19?

Hospitals ensure surfaces are cleaned and disinfected after each suspected case, as are ambulances. There is an Infection Prevention and Control Practice Handbook that outlines the appropriate steps for cleaning a room to ensure there are no viruses remaining. Staff also wear protective gear when cleaning to protect themselves and limit any spread of infection.

Is it safe for me to go to a hospital where a COVID-19 case is?

NSW Health works with its hospitals to maintain high infection control standards. NSW hospitals and clinicians are well trained in caring for people with infectious diseases, and in preventing their transmission to other patients.

How do we know the people who have had COVID-19 are no longer infectious?

People with confirmed COVID-19 infection stay in isolation under the care of medical specialists until they are no longer experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 infection. Before they are released from isolation, they have tests to see if they still have COVID-19 and the specialist care team assesses they are no longer infectious. Once they are discharged they have a follow up assessment by the medical team to make sure they remain well.

Work, university, school and travel arrangements

I have a holiday / work trip. Should I cancel my trip?

The Australian Government provides up-to-date information and advice for safe travel overseas. If you are heading overseas to destinations which may have been affected, check the advice on Smart Traveller.

Can my child attend school?

Any student or staff member who over the last 14 days has visited or transited through a higher risk country should be in self-isolation for 14 days after they departed an affected country. They are excluded from school and should not return to school or child care services for a period of 14 days after leaving the affected country, as the COVID-19 incubation period can be as long as two weeks.

Staff and students who have been identified as close contacts of a person diagnosed with COVID-19 during their infectious period must also self-isolate at home, and should not attend school or childcare settings until 14 days after their last contact with the infected person.

Can my child visit aged care facilities?

As children can spread a range of respiratory infections, such as influenza and RSV, with only mild symptoms, we recommend that aged care facilities do not have groups of children attend the facilities as we grapple with an early influenza season and potentially increasing spread of COVID-19.

Anyone who is sick, including children and even with minimal symptoms, should defer their visit until they are well.

Do I need a medical certificate clearing me for work, school, university or other settings?

No. If you do not have any symptoms there is no testing that can be done to predict whether or not you will become unwell. It is not possible to issue a ‘medical clearance certificate’.

Once 14 days have passed since you left a higher risk country, you have passed the time in which you would become sick if you were exposed to COVID-19 when you were in the affected country. If you are still completely well 14 days after you left the higher risk country then you will not get COVID-19 from your time in the affected country, and you can cease self-isolation and return to work, school and university.

Do I need to isolate myself if I have returned from holiday in a higher risk country?

If you have been in a higher risk country in the last 14 days (including transit), you should stay at home and isolate yourself for 14 days after you left the affected country. You should watch out for symptoms.​

If you develop a fever, a cough, sore throat or shortness of breath within 14 days of travel to an affected area, you should:

Call your doctor or healthdirect on 1800 022 222. When you call, tell them where you have travelled or if you have been in contact with a confirmed case. or (if your symptoms are severe)visit your local Emergency Department. When you arrive, immediately tell staff where you have travelled or if you have been in contact with a confirmed case.

It is important if you have symptoms you should not go to work, school/university/childcare, the gym, or public areas, and you should not use public transport, taxis, or ride-sharing services. If you need to seek medical care wear a surgical mask if available when attending.

If I am worried about having COVID-19, can I ask to get tested?

If you develop fever, cough, runny nose, shortness of breath and other symptoms and have travelled overseas in the 14 days before developing symptoms, you should see your GP or visit your local Emergency Department to be tested for COVID-19. If you are visiting your GP, please call ahead before seeing your doctor hand and tell them where you have travelled.

If you are become unwell with these symptoms without travel you should see your local GP and discuss your symptoms. There are other illnesses such as influenza that your GP may wish to test you for that can cause your symptoms.

My work is saying that I need to get tested for COVID-19 as I have travelled recently- what should I do?

There is no need for you to be tested unless you develop fever, cough, runny nose, and shortness of breath or other symptoms and have travelled overseas in the 14 days before developing symptoms. You should see your GP or visit your local Emergency Department to be tested for COVID-19. If you are visiting your GP, please call ahead beforehand and tell them where you have travelled. You should self-isolate and exclude yourself from work until your test result is available.

If you are become unwell with these symptoms without travel you should see your local GP and discuss your symptoms. There are other illnesses such as influenza that your GP may wish to test you for that can cause your symptoms.

Home isolation

Do I need to be separate from other people in my home if I am isolating?

Yes. If you are sharing your home with others, you should stay in a different room from other people or be separated as much as possible. Wear a surgical mask when you are in the same room as another person, and when seeking medical care. Use a separate bathroom, if available.

Make sure that you do not share a room with people who are at risk of severe disease, such as elderly people and those who have heart, lung or kidney conditions, and diabetes.

Visitors who do not have an essential need to be in the home should not visit while you are isolating.

More information about home isolation is available for:

people suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19 infection close contacts and recently returned travellers from mainland China, Iran or South Korea.

Someone in my household recently returned from a higher risk country or has been in contact with a confirmed COVID-19 case and is self-isolating. Do I need to self-isolate too?

Other members of the household are not required to be isolated unless they have also:

been in or transited through a higher risk country in the last 14 days been a close contact of a confirmed COVID-19 case.

Make sure you maintain a safe distance from that person at all times but support them as much as possible to maintain their self-isolation.

How can I access groceries and medicines while in home isolation?

If you need groceries or medicines (including prescription medicines), ask a family member or friend (who is not in isolation) to deliver them to your home or shop for groceries online. To prevent infecting other people, make sure you wear a mask when receiving a delivery or have the groceries left at your door.

When someone has finished 14 days isolation, do they need to see their GP?

If you are well at the end of 14 days self-isolation, you can resume your normal lifestyle.

Social distancing

What is social distancing?

Social distancing is an effective measure, but it is recognised that it cannot be practised in all situations and the aim is to generally reduce potential for transmission.

While practising social distancing, people can travel to work (including public transport). For non-essential activities outside the workplace or attendance at schools, universities and childcare - social distancing includes:

avoiding crowds and mass gatherings where it is difficult to keep the appropriate distance away from others avoiding small gatherings in enclosed spaces, for example family celebrations attempting to keep a distance of 1.5 metres between themselves and other people where possible, for example when they are out and about in public place.avoiding shaking hands, hugging, or kissing other people avoiding visiting vulnerable people, such as those in aged care facilities or hospitals, infants, or people with compromised immune systems due to illness or medical treatment

Who should practice social distancing?

If you have travelled overseas to another country in the past 14 days you should self-monitor for symptoms, practice social distancing as much as possible and immediately isolate yourself if you become unwell. See the advice: I have travelled to another country. What should I do?.

Note that social distancing is not enough for people who have travelled to a higher risk country in the previous 14 days. These people need to self-isolate at home for 14 days from their last day of travel in the affected country. See the advice: I have travelled to a higher risk country. What should I do?.

Bulk-buying

Should I be bulk-buying items to prepare?

There is no need to bulk-buy products at supermarkets including toilet paper, paracetamol and canned food.

It is prudent for households to have a small stock of non-perishable groceries to cover the event that in the coming months the household has been asked to self-isolate for 14 days. However, it’s important to note the role of family and friends in supporting those in isolation and also to note that online grocery delivery services are now available in most areas of NSW.