Director of Clinical Services Rebecca Weir addresses some of the concerns about contracting COVID-19 (Coronavirus) from positive cases in the community.
The key messages and information are:
Are we at risk from confirmed positive cases?
There is minimal risk of currently contracting COVID-19 (Coronavirus) from a positive case in Wangaratta. If you are at risk, you will be informed.
The Victorian Department of Health and Human Services take comprehensive details from persons who have tested positive to COVID-19, where they have been and who that they have been in contact with. All these people and places are contacted to advise of their potential exposure to COVID-19 (Coronavirus). If you have not been contacted, then you are not at any known risk. This is called “contact tracing”.
Only leave your home for one of the four essential reasons (food and supplies, medical care and caregiving, exercise, and work or education). If you are out in the community, practice good hand hygiene. Wash your hands after touching any shared surfaces such as shopping trolleys, EFTPOS machines and door handles in public places.
Physical distancing will save lives, so keep doing it.
What to do if I think I have COVID-19 (Coronavirus)?
If you are unwell, you must isolate yourself.
If you have a fever, cough, sore throat or shortness of breath and have returned from overseas or been in contact with a confirmed case. Call the – ()
There is an excellent self-assessment tool on the Department of Health and Human Services website https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronavirus-self-assessment
Call your GP and talk to them about your concerns. If you are at risk, they may ask you to come into the clinic or refer you to the Northeast Health Wangaratta COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Screening Clinic for further testing.
Contact the Northeast Health Wangaratta COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Hotline by calling 1800 324 942 and talk to the health professional to determine whether you need to have a test. If you do, they will make an appointment for you at the Northeast Health Wangaratta COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Screening Clinic.
Can we find out details of those with COVID-19 (Coronavirus)?
No, in the interests of patient confidentially and strict legislative requirements, details regarding the people who have tested positive for COVID-19 (Coronavirus) are not available.
There is no need to know this information – If you are at risk, the Department of Health and Human Services will notify you.