COVID-19 on the comeback what to do if you get sick in WA’s eighth COVID wave – ABC News

With an eighth wave of coronavirus circulating in Western Australia in recent weeks, many people are being infected with the virus again.

Unlike in years gone by when WA was in "state of emergency" mode, the rules surrounding the virus are less hard and fast and more reliant on people doing the right thing and "considering others".

So, if you find yourself feeling sick, what should you do?

That is the clear official health advice if you test positive for COVID-19.

The Health Department says you should stay home from work and events "until your symptoms have resolved" which could take up to 10 days or more, but "a minimum of five days is a good guide".

The Chief Health Officer, Dr Andy Robertson, issued a reminder last week that the virus is well and truly still around.

"Even if you're feeling better towards the end of end of it, it takes generally four or five days before you've cleared the virus and become less of an infectious risk," he said.

As well as avoiding close contact with anyone while infectious, people who test positive for COVID are also urged to inform anyone they have had close contact with recently.

Someone with the virus is most infectious during the two days before symptoms begin.

Anyone who has tested positive or who has been a close contact should avoid high-risk and healthcare settings including hospitals and care facilities for disability, mental health, and aged care for seven days.

In fact, masks are now a requirement for anyone entering a high-risk area of a hospital.

If you need to visit hospital or another health service for urgent medical care, COVID patients and close contacts are asked to inform the facility ahead of time.

Those employed in such facilities should tell their employer and check the rules for their workplace.

Select"Western AustraliaTop Stories"from either the ABC News homepage or the settings menu in the app.

Outside of those settings, taking work off for COVID-19 now generally carries the same protections for employees as any other sick leave they might or might not be entitled to.

But the Director General of WA Health, Dr David Russell-Weisz, urged anyone facing pushback from an employer to have a conversation about it.

"I think most employers are going to be pretty reasonable, and certainly not want you back at work and potentially taking out more staff with COVID," he said.

"And obviously, we all have a duty of care to elderly people, to people with chronic medical conditions, to make sure we don't put them at risk."

For some employers time-off for COVID-19 related illness may now require a medical certificate or statutory declaration as proof.

While you have COVID-19, WA Health encourages people to manage their symptoms with "rest" and "pain relief".

People can also make inquires as to whether anti-viral treatments are available or suitable for them.

And if symptoms become severe people should contact a GP or in an emergency ring Triple-0.

After recovering, most people should be okay within a few weeks' time but may feel more tired and have trouble concentrating for a period.

If you develop new symptoms 35 days after recovery, the chances are you have a new infection and should get tested again and go back to step 1.

Some people can also remain unwell and develop long COVID.

No.

The Chief Health Officer said there were no plans to reintroduce any mask mandates or restrictions in the broader community.

The requirement for people to wear masks in some hospital wards, which came into effect yesterday, was the first public health measure introduced since WA's 'state of emergency' mode ended in October 2022.

But unless cases surge dramatically and the health system becomes overwhelmed, compulsory masks wearing is off the table.

The Health Minister, Amber-Jade Sanderson, has renewed her call for anyone eligible to consider getting a COVID booster or vaccine to protect themselves and those around them.

Ms Sanderson said people should get a booster as soon as it is due, rather than necessarily waiting for the newest boosters which will cover more recent variants.

"I think early December is around when pharmacists and GPs will be able to access the new variant," she said.

"But if you're due for your booster, get your booster."

People are also urged to have some supplies ready at home in case they catch the virus and need to spend time isolating and resting.

See the rest here:

COVID-19 on the comeback what to do if you get sick in WA's eighth COVID wave - ABC News