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COVID-19

COVID-19 is a common and highly contagious respiratory illness. It can affect anyone.

Most people with COVID-19 will have symptoms that they can manage at home. Some people are at higher risk of becoming seriously ill. These people may need medical care and treatment.

How long it takes to recover from COVID-19 is different for everyone.

You can reduce the risk of getting and spreading COVID-19 by getting vaccinated, staying home when unwell and having good hygiene. These behaviours are best for you, your family and your workplace. They also help to protect you from other respiratory illnesses, such as influenza and respiratory syncytial virus.

Symptoms

Common symptoms of COVID-19 include:

  • fever
  • cough
  • sore throat
  • shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
  • changed sense of smell or taste
  • runny or blocked nose.

Some people with COVID-19 have only mild symptoms or no symptoms at all.

Who is most at risk

Anyone can get COVID-19, but some people have a higher risk of serious illness. These higher risk groups include:

  • older people
  • people with certain medical conditions
  • Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people
  • people who are pregnant.

If you are at higher risk of severe illness, speak to a GP now before you get COVID-19 to learn about what you should do if you get sick. A GP can provide you with advice on testing, treatments and vaccination.

If you're exposed

Take steps to protect yourself and others if you have been exposed to COVID-19.

You should:

  • monitor for symptoms
  • get tested for COVID-19 if you are at high risk of severe disease and get symptoms
  • maintain physical distancing, where possible, and avoid crowded places
  • practise good hand and respiratory hygiene
  • avoid visiting people who are at higher risk of severe illness for at least 7 days.

If you develop symptoms or test positive for COVID-19:

  • stay home while you’re unwell
  • avoid high-risk settings like aged care, hospitals and day care centres.

Most people can manage COVID-19 at home with rest and fluids.

If you are at higher risk of severe illness, you may benefit from antiviral medicine to help you recover. Antivirals work best when taken early. Ask your GP for more information.

Testing and diagnosis

You can test for COVID-19 using a:

  • rapid antigen test (RAT) at home
  • swab that will be sent to a laboratory for PCR testing, if your doctor advises this. You will need a pathology referral form.

Learn about approved self-tests (for home use) on the Therapeutic Goods Administration website.

Read about pathology services in the ACT on the Canberra Health Services website.

Where to get help

To get health support for you or someone in your care:

Vaccination

COVID-19 vaccination protects against serious illness. For the best protection, get all the recommended doses for your age and health needs.

Read the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing’s COVID-19 vaccine information to:

  • check eligibility
  • get the latest recommendations
  • find out how to get vaccinated.

Use the HealthDirect service finder to find a vaccine provider in the ACT.

Health professionals’ responsibilities

COVID-19 is a notifiable condition. Read about reporting notifiable diseases in the ACT.

Vaccine provider responsibilities

If you’re a COVID-19 vaccine provider, you must understand:

  • the vaccines and immunisation products available in Australia
  • the vaccine dosages, preparation and administration
  • how to record administered vaccines on the Australian Immunisation Register.

You must tell us of adverse events following immunisation. Either:

Residential aged care facilities and other high-risk settings

COVID-19 can spread quickly in high-risk settings like aged care.

Residential aged care facilities must notify ACT Government if they have 2 or more related respiratory illness cases (including COVID-19) within 72 hours. We can help to support these facilities when outbreaks occur.

Report an outbreak in an aged care facility in the ACT.

Learn more about high-risk groups and settings for COVID-19 from the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing and Managing COVID-19 in aged care.

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