Question 1

WHAT IS COVID-19 AND HOW IS IT CAUSED?

Accepted Answer

COVID-19 is a respiratory illness caused by a new form of Coronaviruses. It was first reported in December 2019 in Wuhan City in China. There is NO vaccination or cure for this disease as yet.

Question 2

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF COVID-19?

Accepted Answer

The symptoms include: fever, respiratory symptoms (coughing, sore throat, shortness of breath, runny nose), headache, muscle or joint pains, nausea, diarrhoea, vomiting, loss of sense of smell, altered sense of taste, loss of appetite and fatigue.

Question 3

HOW IS COVID-19 CONTRACTED?

Accepted Answer

Health authorities around the world believe the virus is spread via contact with an infected person, mostly through face-to-face or between members of the same household. 
It is spread by an infectious person when they cough or sneeze, and a person who is positive can transmit the disease up to 48hrs before they even have symptoms.
COVID-19 can also be picked up from surfaces contaminated by a person with the infection.

Question 4

HOW CAN COVID-19 IMPACT AN ORGANISATION?

Accepted Answer

People with a confirmed COVID-19 infection stay in quarantine until they are no longer experiencing symptoms. Before they are released from quarantine, their doctor or specialist care team assesses they are no longer infectious. 
People who have had close contact with a confirmed case will also need to self isolate for 14 days.

Studies suggest that COVID-19 may persist on surfaces for a few hours or up to several days. This may vary under different conditions such as the type of surface, temperature or humidity of the environment. A positive diagnosis of an employee could mean temporary closure for commercial infection control and cleaning.

Question 5

WILL THE SWAB HURT?

Accepted Answer

The swab can sometimes be a little uncomfortable. The swab is taken from the throat and both nostrils. It is important that the appropriate areas are swabbed in order to maximise the accuracy of the test.

Question 6

WHY CAN’T EVERYONE BE TESTED AT A GOVERNMENT TESTING CLINIC?

Accepted Answer

The criteria for Government funded testing is rapidly changing as the pandemic impacts Victoria. Only those with respiratory symptoms or close contacts of a positive case currently qualify for government funded testing. 
For up to date information, please refer to https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronavirus-self-assessment Those who do not fulfil the criteria for government funded testing can be tested for a private fee of $160.

Question 7

IS THE COST OF THE TEST COVERED BY MEDICARE OR PRIVATE HEALTH INSURANCE?

Accepted Answer

The fee associated with the COVID-19 test is not covered by Medicare or Private Health Insurance. Those who qualify for the government funded screening must attended a nominated DHHS screening clinic. Anyone else requesting testing for personal, professional or travel reasons are required to pay the private fee which is non-rebatable.

Question 8

WHAT IF I HAVE  RESPIRATORY SYMPTOMS?

Accepted Answer

Anyone with respiratory symptoms should stay at home and get tested through the government programme.

COVID-19 Fit To Fly Certificate

COVID- 19 Fit To Fly Certificate

Temporarily unavailable due to extended delays in processing results

Get your Fit To Fly Certificate at Medical Hub @ RMIT

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Polymerase chain reaction method (PCR)

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