We encourage you to always refer to official government websites for the most accurate advice and instructions.
When should I get tested covid COVID-19?
Get a free test if you have ANY of these COVID-19 symptoms, even if they are mild.
Symptoms include:
- fever (37.5 degrees Celsius or higher)
- cough
- sore throat
- shortness of breath (difficulty breathing)
- runny nose
- loss of taste
- loss of smell.
In more severe cases, infection can cause pneumonia with severe acute respiratory distress.
Other reported symptoms include:
- fatigue
- acute blocked nosed (congestion)
- muscle pain
- joint pain
- headache
- diarrhoea
- nausea/vomiting
- loss of appetite.
Where can I get tested?
Testing is free, easy and quick.
A list of COVID-19 Assessment Clinics in Illawarra and Shoalhaven is available here.
How to make and wear a mask
Information from NSW Health
NSW Health's website contains the latest up-to-date COVID-19 information and resources including:
- Latest updates of confirmed cases, case locations and alerts
- Public health orders and restrictions
- Information on COVID-19 vaccination numbers and eligibility
- Advice and factsheets for individuals and health care professionals
Coronavirus Australia app
You can use the Australian Government Coronavirus app to:
- stay up to date with the official information and advice
- important health advice to help stop the spread and stay healthy
- get a quick snapshot of the current official status within Australia
- check your symptoms if you are concerned about yourself or someone else
- find relevant contact information
- access updated information from the Australian Government
- receive push notifications of urgent information and updates
Download the Coronavirus Australia app here.
Department of Health
The Australian Department of Health has a dedicated page where you can access:
- Latest news across health
- National Health Plan factsheets
- Aged care information
- Resources
- Vaccination information
Visit them on www.health.gov.au/
Multilingual resources
NSW Health
NSW Health has a variety of information, factsheets and other resources available in different languages HERE.
SBS
The SBS has produced 'Coronavirus explained in your language: Coronavirus explained in 16 different languages' watch HERE! They are available in English, Filipino, Greek, Italian, Korean, Mandarin, Punjabi, Spanish, Tamil, Arabic, Cantonese, Hindi, Indonesian, Pashto, Persian and Vietnamese.
Ethnolink
Coronavirus resources have been translated into 49 different languages to include:
| Arabic | العربية | Farsi | فارسی | Kurdish (Kurmanji) | کورمانجی | Spanish | Español |
| Amharic | አማርኛ | Filipino | Filipino | Macedonian | Mакедонски | Swahili | Kiswahili |
| Assyrian | ܣܘܪܝܬ | French | Français | Maltese | Malti | Tamil | தமிழ் |
| Bangla | বাংলা | Greek | Ελληνικά | Mongolian | монгол хэл | Thai | ภาษาไทย |
| Burmese | မြန်မာ | Gujarati | ગુજરાતી | Nepali | नेपाली | Tibetan | དབུས་སྐད་ |
| Chaldean | ܟܲܠܕܵܝܵܐ | Hazaragi | آزرگی | Oromo | Afaan Oromoo | Tigrinya | ትግርኛ |
| Chinese (Simplified) | 简体中文 | Hindi | हिन्दी | Polish | Polski | Turkish | Türkçe |
| Chinese (Traditional) | 繁體中文 | Indonesian | Bahasa Indonesia | Portuguese | Português | Urdu | ودرا |
| Croatian | Hrvatski | Italian | Italiano | Punjabi | ਪਜਾਬੀ | Vietnamese | Tiếng Việt |
| Dari | دری | Japanese |日本語 | Russian | Русский | Zomi | Zou |
| Dinka | Thuɔŋjäŋ | Karen S’gaw | ကညီကျိာ် | Serbian | Cрпски | |
| Easy Read | Khmer | ភាសាខ្មែរ | Sinhalese | සිංහල | |
| English | Korean | 한국어 | Somali | Soomaali |
Aboriginal health resources
NSW Health has a range of Aboriginal health resources available to access including:
- Brochure: Aboriginal Health: Keep our communities healthy - Stop the spread of COVID-19
- Factsheet: Good health and hygiene
- Factsheet: Stay connected
- Factsheet: Gathering safely
- Factsheet: How do I self-isolate?
- Factsheet: Wearing a mask can help stop the spread of COVID-19
- Video: COVID-19 testing process
- Video: COVID Safe gatherings
- Video: Wearing a mask
- Video: One point 5 music clip
Handy Tips to help #stopthespread from World Health Organisation
1. Wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds.
2. Avoid touching your face, eyes, mouth and nose
3. Avoid contact with people who are vulnerable. And if you can't, wear a mask.
4. Cover your cough with the bend of your elbow.
5. Disinfect surfaces you regularly use.
6. If you feel unwell, stay at home and call your GP
7. Only share information from trusted sources (Like NSW Health)
Social distancing
Social distancing means we reduce the number of close physical and social contacts we have with one another. Social distancing combined with good personal hygiene measures helps slow the spread of a pandemic. This helps protect the most vulnerable members of the community and reduces the impact of the pandemic on essential, life-saving health services.
We can practice social distancing by:
- Staying at home unless you are: shopping for essentials, receiving medical care, exercising or travelling to work or education.
- People aged over 70, aged over 60 with pre-existing conditions, or Indigenous people aged over 50 stay home wherever possible for their own protection.
- Keep 1.5 metres away from others.
- Avoid physical greetings such as handshaking, hugs and kisses.
- Use tap and pay instead of cash.
- Avoid crowds & public gatherings and travel at quiet times.
- Avoid visiting vulnerable people, such as those in aged care facilities or hospitals, infants, or people with compromised immune systems due to illness or medical treatment.
- Reduce visits to shops - instead try buy food online, consider home delivery and take-aways.
- Practise good hygiene.
- Regularly disinfect surfaces that are touched a lot, such as light switches, benches, and door handles.
