COVID-19

COVID-19 cases are increasing across our school in all year levels. 

Please check the Better Health Channel  and Health Direct websites for more information.

The following is a Checklist for COVID-19 cases.

You're no longer required to report your positive rapid antigen test (RAT) in Victoria. Due to this, the reporting form has been deactivated.

COVID-19 is still in our community. Stay home if you're unwell and reduce the spread of the virus. Here's a checklist for your support if you test positive for COVID-19.

Look after your health and check if you're eligible for treatment.

Most people will experience mild symptoms and be able to recover safely at home. The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are runny nose, sore throat, cough, fever, chills, sweats, and/or shortness of breath.

• For mild symptoms – rest and recover at home.
• For worsening symptoms or if you are eligible for antiviral treatment – contact a GP.
• For severe symptoms – get immediate help and call Triple Zero (000).

If you are eligible for COVID-19 antiviral medicines, it is important to speak to your GP as soon as possible, even if your symptoms are mild. The medicines are most effective if taken within 5 days of symptom onset and can prevent serious illness.

You're no longer required to report your positive rapid antigen test (RAT) result.

To manage your symptoms, remember:

• Rest: Sleep and take it easy
• Pain relief: Take paracetamol and ibuprofen as needed (pregnant people should not take ibuprofen)
• Water: Drink regularly throughout the day and have electrolyte drinks or icy poles for extra hydration
• Fresh air: When possible open windows or spend time in your back yard or balcony if you have them
• Speak to your GP: If your symptoms worsen, you may be eligible for medicines or antivirals.

Isolate at home and tell your contacts

You are most infectious 2 days before your symptoms start, and while you have symptoms. It is recommended that you should isolate for at least 5 days and until you don’t have symptoms anymore.

This means you should not go to work, school or grocery shopping. Especially if you work with people at a higher risk of becoming very sick with COVID-19.

While isolating, you should:

• Stay in your room - isolate away from other people in your household as much as possible to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19
• Limit numbers in the house – if people come into your home, let them know that you have COVID-19 so that they can take steps to protect themselves.
• Understand masks, ventilation and hygiene matter:
  • Keep doors and windows open as much as possible to let fresh air blow through. If you have ceiling fans, keep them running at low speed. However, make sure the temperature in the house remains comfortable.
  • If you need to be in the same room as someone else in your house, wear a mask and keep a distance of at least 1.5 metres away.
  • Wash or sanitise your hands for at least 20 seconds after you cough, sneeze, blow your nose or take off gloves and mask.
  • Wipe down surfaces, like doorknobs to your room or bathroom.
  • If people are leaving you meals, tell them to leave them at the door and only collect the meal once they have moved away from the area.
  • You should not share cups, glasses, plates, utensils, towels or bedding with others.
• If you need to leave home in an emergency, remember to wear a face mask.
• Call your workplace or school and let them know you have COVID-19.
• Tell people and places you may have been in contact with and share the Checklist for COVID-19 contacts.
• Organise the delivery of essentials like food, medications, and baby formula.
• Don’t work or visit a high-risk setting like hospitals, aged care, and disability services where there are people who are at a higher risk of becoming very sick or needing hospitalisation.

Ending isolation and recovering

Ending isolation

Most people are still infectious after 5 days and you should stay home if you are still experiencing symptoms like a runny nose, sore throat, cough, shortness of breath, fever, chills, or sweats.

A negative RAT result is a helpful tool to determine whether you are still infectious. If you’re unsure about ending your isolation, you should contact a GP.

Wear a face mask when you leave home for at least 7 days after testing positive as you may still be infectious.

Recovering

Many people feel the impacts of COVID-19 beyond their infectious period. As with any illness, it’s important to return to your regular routine and activities slowly to allow your body the care and time to properly recover.

Long COVID is when symptoms continue for more than 3 months from when you were infected. Symptoms can vary and you should see your GP who can tell you how to best manage your condition. For more information, see Long COVID.

You should wait 6 months before getting your next dose of the COVID-19 vaccine to ensure you get the maximum protection against the virus.

You may be able to contract COVID-19 again as early as 4 weeks after your recovery. You should get tested again after 4 weeks if you have new symptoms.

Please be considerate of others as we all do our best to prevent the spread of this and other infections. Thank you.