Coronavirus (COVID-19) Links & Resources – Hands-On Infection Control

As of 29 January 2020, ‘Human coronavirus with pandemic potential’ has been declared an urgently notifiable disease under Part 9 of the Public Health Act 2016. It was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organisation on 11 March 2020.

Any person who meets the following criteria are required to isolate themselves at home for 14 days from the date of travel or close contact.

Criteria:

Overseas or interstate travel in the past 14 days OR
Close or casual contact in the past 14 days with a confirmed case of COVID-19.

Persons who meet the above criteria should not work or visit a health care facility, including aged care homes within that 14 days and should undergo testing for COVID-19.

A person will be considered for testing if they meet any of the following criteria:

Overseas or interstate travel, or close contact with a confirmed case OR
Fever (≥5°C) OR
a recent history of a fever (e.g. night sweats, chills) without a known source OR
An acute respiratory infection e.g. shortness of breath, cough, sore throat OR
Acute loss of smell or taste

It is important if you have respiratory illness symptoms to stay at home until you are well. Department of Health State Health Incident Coordination Centre (SHICC) updates are released every Tuesday and are available here.

Below are a number of useful links and resources on COVID-19, including environmental management and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Note: Hands-On Infection Control is not responsible for the content of any website accessed through these links.

Note: This post was edited on 17/02/2021 to include new information on vaccine approvals and rollout in Australia.