8 October 2020 / COVID-19

Staying Alert

Staying Alert

As case numbers continue to fall around the country, it is important to keep up all of the practical step that have been employed since the start of this pandemic. Each person’s individual effort contributes to keeping case numbers low, particularly given that outbreaks are likely to continue in Australia until a vaccine is available.

Part of our collective responsibility is ensuring that we each recognise coronavirus symptoms and get tested if we experience any of these (listed below).

This is especially important if we have visited a venue or location of concern at the same time as a confirmed case. Each state / territory publishes a list that is updated as outbreaks occur.

Hutchies' COVID-19 Resources

Symptoms

Know the symptoms and be on alert. If you experience any of the following symptoms, don’t come to work. Notify your Team Leader and contact your nearest medical centre / hospital to get tested.

Fever
Cough
Shortness of breath
Sore throat

Other symptoms can include runny nose, headache, muscle or joint pains, nausea, diarrhoea, vomiting, loss of sense of smell, altered sense of taste, loss of appetite and fatigue.

Symptoms can develop between two to 14 days after you are exposed to the virus. Most commonly, symptoms develop five or six days after exposure.

The practical measures such as good hand hygiene and social distancing during the pandemic have positively contributed to a dramatic reduction in cases of influenza across Australia. This means that the experience of cold or flu-like symptoms may in fact be COVID-19 so it’s important to confirm via a test.

If you need advice, call Australia’s COVID hotline 1800 020 080 (24 x 7)

Venues of Concern

A ‘venue of concern’ is a location that a state / territory government has declared may pose risk of spreading COVID-19 from a confirmed case who has been there at a specific time.

If you were at the location around the same time (regardless if you are showing symptoms or not), you should immediately self-isolate, contact your nearest medical centre or hospital and make an appointment to get tested (some testing locations require a referral, so ensure you call ahead first).

Keep an eye on the lists in your state / territory or check out Hutchies’ coronavirus map for details.

State / Territory	Venues of Concern	Testing Locations
ACT	N/A	ACT Testing Clinics
NSW	NSW Venues	NSW Testing Clinics
QLD	QLD Venues	QLD Testing Clinics
SA	N/A	SA Testing Clinics
TAS	N/A	TAS Testing Clinics
VIC	VIC Venues	VIC Testing Clinics
WA	N/A	WA Testing Clinics

Typical Testing Process

The testing process for coronavirus is quick, simple and free.

A swab is used to take a sample from the back of your throat and your nose. Although the experience of getting a test done is slightly uncomfortable, it is completed within a matter of seconds.

Hutchies’ coronavirus map displays testing clinics (indicated by yellow dots), or head to your state’s website for more information (as above).

Testing at a public hospital	Testing via a clinic / private practice
> Find a hospital that is offering coronavirus testing (typically called a Fever Clinic).	> Phone your doctor or a local GP clinic that offers coronavirus testing and describe your symptoms or situation.
> You should not need a referral, but you will likely need to wait in a queue, especially if there has been an outbreak in the area.	> The doctor will provide you with a referral to a suitable respiratory clinic.
> You will be asked to provide your details as well as your symptoms / reason for getting tested (eg you were at a venue of concern at the same time as a confirmed case, or you are showing symptoms).	> You should go to the nominated clinic as soon as possible. You may be required to line up in a queue or wait in your car until it is your turn to be tested.
> You will then be tested by an assigned medical professional which should take less than a minute.	> You will then be tested by an assigned medical professional which should take less than a minute.
> Once tested, you will be sent home to self-isolate until you receive your results (either by phone call or text). This means waiting for your result at home and not leaving your home for any reason except in the case of a medical emergency.	> Once tested, you will be sent home to self-isolate until you receive your results (either by phone call or text). This means waiting for your result at home and not leaving your home for any reason except in the case of a medical emergency.

Support

If you need help, reach out

Hutchies Help	COVID-19 Health Information	Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Reporting potential cases or general Hutchies advice. Hutchies' COVID-19 Hotline Phone 07 3335 5015 Email coronavirus@hutchies.com.au	This hotline can provide guidance if you have questions about COVID-19. Australian Government COVID-19 Hotline Phone 1800 020 080 (24x7)	This confidential service is open to Hutchies' people and immediate family members. Converge International Phone 1800 687 327

For general information on the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), call the Australian Government's Coronavirus Health Info Line on 1800 020 080.

For the latest updates on COVID-19 in Australia, visit:

Australian Government	https://l.hutchi.es/AusHealth
Smart Traveller	https://l.hutchi.es/SmartTravel
New South Wales	https://l.hutchi.es/cvNSW
Northern Territory	https://l.hutchi.es/cvNT
Queensland	https://l.hutchi.es/cvQLD
South Australia	https://l.hutchi.es/cvSA
Tasmania	https://l.hutchi.es/cvTAS
Victoria	https://l.hutchi.es/cvVIC

Mental Health

Hutchies has also created a resource to help maintain positive mental health during what has been a tough year for everyone.

Coronavirus Information

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