COVID-19

Coronavirus (COVID-19) is a respiratory illness caused by a new virus first reported in December 2019 in Wuhan City in China. Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that cause respiratory infections. These can range from the common cold to more serious diseases. Symptoms range from a mild flu-like symptoms to pneumonia.

While some people recover easily from the virus, others may get very sick, very quickly. There is evidence that the virus spreads from person to person and as such, it is important to practice good hygiene to help prevent infection.

There are two main ways to protect yourself and others; practicing good hygiene and social distancing.

Good hygiene includes:

• Covering your coughs and sneezes with your elbow or a tissue
• Disposing of tissues properly
• Washing your hands often with soap and water, including before and after eating and after going to the toilet
• Using alcohol-based hand sanitisers
• Cleaning and disinfecting surfaces
• If you are sick, avoiding contact with others and staying more than 1.5 metres away from people.

If you are concerned you may have COVID-19, use the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Symptom Checker.

You can also call the Australian Government 24 hour Covid-19 Hotline on 1800 020 080

If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms, seek medical attention from your GP or hospital immediately by following the below steps:

1. To seek medical help from a doctor or hospital, call ahead of time to book an appointment. Tell the doctor about:
   • your symptoms
   • any travel history
   • any recent contact with someone who has COVID-19
2. You will be asked to take precautions when you attend for treatment. Follow the instructions you are given.
3. If you have a mask, wear it to protect others. Stay at least 1.5 metres away from other people. Cover your coughs or sneezes with your elbow.

If you have been in close* contact with someone confirmed to have COVID-19 or have returned from overseas travel in the last 14 days, then you are required to self-isolate for 14 days.

If you are suffering from symptoms linked with COVID-19 such as flu like symptoms, fever, cough, shortness of breath or breathing difficulties, please call us for advice before entering the pharmacy.  Our pharmacist will be able to provide guidance and support on your next steps.

*Close contact – Being within 1.5m of a person for 15 minutes or being in a confined space with them for 2 hours or more.

If you are unable to visit the pharmacy in person to collect your prescription medications at this time, please contact your local pharmacy to see what delivery options may be available to you.

First and foremost, your community pharmacist is here to help you. As frontline health care workers, our pharmacy teams need to be extra vigilant during this period to ensure a safe and clean working environment to protect both their health and the health of their customers.

Here are some suggestions to help stop the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19) when visiting the pharmacy:

• When in the pharmacy, please take note of the strict hygiene practices as you normally would outside the pharmacy
• When picking up prescriptions, bring your own pen to sign for them. Alternatively, with your consent, we can sign on your behalf.
• Wherever possible, please use Tap to Pay while in store
• Ask us if you qualify for home delivery services
• Please keep a distance of 1.5 m between yourself and other customers

The health and safety of our pharmacy teams and our customers is our number one priority. We’re here to help and support you over this period and appreciate your patience and understanding.