scone.com.auCoronavirus: Self-Isolating in Scone
WHILE there are no cases of coronavirus in the Upper Hunter Shire area yet, there are many people in our community who are in self-isolation because they have recently returned from overseas or have been in contact with someone who has the virus.
People who test positive to coronavirus will be provided with information from their health professionals on how to manage their self-isolation. If you live with a person who has tested positive to coronavirus, you will also need to self-isolate and will be advised of procedures by the health professionals caring for the person with coronavirus.
People who have not tested positively but are in self-isolation as a precautionary measure for 14 days are recommended by NSW Health and local doctors to take measures which include:
- Stay confined for 14 days, DO NOT go anywhere that will bring you into contact with other people or go into any public spaces.
- It is ok to go into your private garden or onto a private balcony, but wear a mask and pass through commonly shared areas quickly.
- If you need someone to bring food, medicine or other important items to your home you can contact the Scone Neighbourhood Resource Centre who will help: 02 6545 2562.
- Monitor your health: If you show any symptoms of coronavirus, including fever, dry cough and shortness of breath, please phone 1800 022 222 for initial advice.
- DO NOT present to the local hospital, the medical practice or the pharmacy. If you need healthcare, please phone ahead, so that staff can arrange a time for you to attend and prepare with appropriate protective equipment and infection control procedures.
- If you develop any symptoms you should immediately wear a mask in the presence of other people in the household, even if they are also in isolation.
- If you need to call an ambulance for ANY reason, please advise 000 that you are in self-isolation. This allows for local ambulance to take protective measures. Failure to do this could mean the ambulance staff will be taken off the road for 14 days, which would have a significant impact on our community.
- Separate from other people in your home, including:
- confining yourself to a room or separate section of the home;
- use a separate bathroom if possible;
- avoid using shared living space and wear a surgical mask if you are in the same room as other people or walking through a shared space;
- do not accept visitors to the home during the self-isolation.
- Wash Your Hands: for 20 seconds with soap and water regularly, especially:
- before you enter a room with other people;
- after using a bathroom;
- after coughing or sneezing, and
- before you put on or take off your mask.
People living with someone in self-isolation:
- If the person you are living with is a confirmed case of covid-19 public health will be in touch with you directly about the procedures you need to follow and you will also be in self-isolation for 14 days.
- If the person you are living with is in self-isolation as a precautionary measure:
- you should help ensure they adhere to the recommended self-isolation procedures;
- regularly clean surfaces in the home which the person in self-isolation may come into contact with in common areas – such as door handles;
- use a separate bathroom where possible;
- volunteer to do all the work in the kitchen – keeping the kitchen free of any potential infection is ideal;
- wash your hands frequently and follow good infection control constantly;
- you can continue going out into public spaces, attend work and activities outside the home as normal;
- if the person becomes unwell during the 14 day period phone 1800 022 222 immediately for advice;
- if the person remains well after the full 14 days, life can return to normal, but now you’ll all have well practiced infection control skills!
To read the full advice from NSW Health please read:
If you have local questions about the coronavirus please email: coronavirus@scone.com.au and we will source the best local information.
Tags: Coronavirus, Covid-19, health