COVID-19 (coronavirus)
- COVID-19 is a highly contagious virus that affects the respiratory system.
- The virus can cause mild to serious illness, and even death.
- Everyone is at risk of infection but some people are at higher risk of becoming seriously ill with COVID-19, including:
- older people (over 65 years, and over 50 years for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people)
- people who are not up to date with COVID-19 vaccination
- pregnant women
- people with other health conditions (such as lung disease, heart disease, diabetes, kidney failure)
- people who are immunocompromised due to a health condition or medications/treatments.
- Most people can manage COVID-19 at home with support from their GP.
- Find out what to do if you get COVID-like symptoms, how to get tested, what to expect if you test positive, treatments and measures to help protect yourself.
If you need help with translating the information on these sites, call the Translating and Interpreting Service on 131 450.
COVID-19 health support
For medical advice, you can call healthdirect on 1800 022 222. For general advice, you can call the National Coronavirus Helpline on 1800 020 080.
For non-urgent health advice:
- call your GP
- visit a pharmacy
- call healthdirect Australia on 1800 022 222.
You should go to an emergency department (ED) if you have a serious or life-threatening condition. Call 000 for an ambulance.
This publication is provided for education and information purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical care. Information about a therapy, service, product or treatment does not imply endorsement and is not intended to replace advice from your healthcare professional. Readers should note that over time currency and completeness of the information may change. All users should seek advice from a qualified healthcare professional for a diagnosis and answers to their medical questions.