Wagga residents concerned they may have been exposed to the coronavirus are being urged to phone ahead, rather than just arriving at hospital emergency departments or doctors' surgeries.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The official advice from the Murrumbidgee Local Health District, and NSW Health to anyone with concerns is firstly to isolate yourself from other people, then call your doctor, or your local emergency department or Healthdirect on 1800 022 222 so that appropriate procedures can be put in place in anticipation of your arrival.
According to NSW Health, there are specific symptoms people should be looking for. These could include fever, cough, runny nose and shortness of breath.
In more severe cases, infection can cause pneumonia with severe acute respiratory distress.
According to NSW Health, the risk of exposure to the coronavirus, or COVID-19, is believed to be highest for those people who have travelled through mainland China or Iran, but those who have been to a number of other countries are also considered to be at risk. These countries include Cambodia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Thailand, Singapore and South Korea.
Anyone who has travelled, or even just transited, through any of these countries in the past 14 days is being urged to monitor themselves for symptoms and practice "social distancing" by avoiding crowds and small gatherings in enclosed spaces, and keeping a distance of 1.5 metres between yourself and others when out in public.
People who are concerned they may be developing symptoms, should make that call to health professionals and say which countries they have visited.
NSW Health says to tell the person when you call where you have travelled. It is important if you have symptoms you should not go to work, school/university/childcare, the gym, or public areas, and you should not use public transport, taxis, or ride-sharing services. If you need to seek medical care, wear a surgical mask if available when attending.
The NSW government is asking both individuals and businesses to take steps to prepare for a possible COVID-19 pandemic converging with winter flu.
Health Minister Brad Hazzard and chief health officer Kerry Chant said NSW Health had planned extensively for a pandemic and further strengthened its response since the SARS, MERS and H1N1 "swine flu" threats, "but everyone plays a role in prevention".
"We also ask everyone to please see your GP for minor illnesses and injuries where possible, to ensure we keep our EDs for emergencies only, particularly as we head into the busy flu season," Mr Hazzard said.
