What to do if you get Covid-19
Wednesday, December 21, 2022 - 10:29am
During the Christmas and New Year period GP's will be less available for guiding their patients if they get Covid-19.
What to do if you get Covid-19
If you or your loved one test positive to Covid-19 this is what we suggest you do:
1. Register your positive test
- Register your positive test online via this link: REGISTER YOUR POSITIVE RAT or by calling the Public Health Hotline on 1800 671 738.
- Registering your result means that you can access the care and support you need, including through the COVID@homeplus program.
- If you have a positive PCR test result, you do not need to report a positive RAT result.
- You will receive an SMS after you register a positive RAT test result or get a notification of a positive PCR result.
- This SMS will contain a survey. Your response will help Public Health understand the level of care you might need based on your personal preference and circumstances, and on how unwell you feel.
- The survey will also ask if you would like to be enrolled in COVID@homeplus. Enrolling in COVID@homeplus is optional.
2. Stay at home and look after your health
- Most people who are up to date with their COVID-19 vaccinations who have COVID-19 will have mild to moderate symptoms and be able to recover at home.
- Rest, drink plenty of water, and eat healthy foods.
- Treat your symptoms as needed. Paracetamol or ibuprofen, saline nasal sprays, throat lozenges or sprays, and other over-the-counter products are available and can help to ease your symptoms. We suggest you phone your usual Pharmacy to ask for advice about what would be helpful for you, and how to safely access it. (It's not ok to walk into your Pharmacy if you are Covid-positive, of course!).
3. Contact your GP (or Covid@homeplus) if you are eligible for antiviral treatment
- If you are at a higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19, it is important you seek antiviral treatment as soon as possible to ensure it is most effective in treating your illness.
- Information about eligibility for antiviral treatments is available here: Antiviral Eligibility.
- If you need antiviral treatment and we're open, call the surgery on 6169 000 (Glebe Hill Family Practice) or 6169 0005 (GHFP Nurture). Explain to our friendly Receptionists that you've tested positive. One of the GP's will return your phone call to assess and prescribe antiviral medication. Our Christmas and New Year open hours are available here: Christmas & New Years Open Hours.
- If we are closed call the Covid@homeplus team to seek antiviral treatment. Their number is 1800 973 363.
3. Reduce the risk to others
- If you test positive for COVID-19 you may be infectious for up to 10 days.
- You are most infectious just before your symptoms start, and while you have acute symptoms (runny nose, sore throat, cough and fever).
- To reduce the risk to others you should stay home until your symptoms have resolved.
- And for at least seven days Public Health recommends:
- wearing a face mask in indoor spaces, on Public Transport, and when visiting people who may be at risk of severe illness
- avoid visiting high-risk settings including a hospital, or a residential aged care facility or disability residential setting
- avoid large gatherings and indoor crowded places.
4. Let your close contacts know
- Tell your close contacts that you have COVID-19 or another respiratory infection as they are at increased risk of getting COVID-19.
- Close contacts are usually people that live with you or spend a lot of time indoors with. They are at higher risk of catching COVID-19 from you and then passing the virus on to others.
This information was sourced from the Tasmanian Government Department of Health website. More detailed information is available here:
