Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Updates

For the latest updates and announcements, visit the Queensland Government COVID-19 website.

General Information

What is a coronavirus and COVID-19?

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses known to cause respiratory infections. These can range from the common cold to more serious diseases such as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS). This new coronavirus originated in Hubei Province, China and the disease is named COVID-19.

COVID-19 can and has spread quickly and widely. It has contributed to the deaths of over 6.5 million people worldwide and over 14,600 deaths in Australia as at 16 September 2022 (according to the World Health Organisation).

How can we help prevent the spread of coronavirus?

Practicing good hand and sneeze/cough hygiene, staying home when you are sick and getting vaccinated are the best defences. You should:

• Get up-to-date with your vaccination/booster;
• Stay at home if you are sick;
• If you have any COVID-19 symptoms, no matter how mild, get tested;
• Wash your hands frequently with soap and water or hand sanitiser;
• Cover your cough or sneeze with your arm or a tissue, dispose of tissues in the bin and wash your hands; and
• Wear a mask when you are unable to keep 1.5 metres from other people or whenever mandatory face masks are required.

Vaccinations

Vaccinations have contributed to slowing down the spread of disease. Over 95% of Australians aged 16 years and over have received at least two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.

More information:

• Book a vaccination appointment
• Queensland Health vaccination information
• Australian Government vaccination information
• Vaccination information in languages other than English

What do I do if I develop symptoms?

If you have any infectious or respiratory symptoms (such as sore throat, headache, fever, shortness of breath, muscle aches, cough or runny nose), stay home.

Take a Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) as soon as you can. Ask someone to deliver one to you if possible, or if you need to go out to buy one, wear a mask and physically distance whenever you can.

If you test positive for COVID-19, isolate and report your positive RAT result to Queensland Health.

Who needs to self-isolate or quarantine?

Queensland's Chief Health Officer will determine who needs to self-isolate or quarantine, under what conditions and for how long. Visit the Queensland Government COVID-19 website for up-to-date information.

Looking after yourself

If you're unsure whether you need medical care for your symptoms or if you feel you might require medical assessment or treatment, you can:

• call the National Coronavirus Helpline 24/7 on 1800 020 080 for assistance with connecting you to a health professional or hospital care, if required. Press 8 if you need an interpreter;
• contact your general practitioner, local GP practice or usual specialist; or
• use the healthdirect Australia COVID-19 Symptom and Antiviral Eligibility Checker.

You should seek medical advice if you:

• are not improving after 2 or 3 days, or are getting sicker
• have a chronic health condition
• are pregnant.

Keep a COVID-19 symptom diary (PDF, 2 MB), so you can track if your symptoms get worse.

Only call Triple Zero (000) or go to an emergency department if you have severe symptoms. Read more about symptoms and medical care for COVID-19 in Queensland.

Should I wear a face mask?

There are certain situations and settings where you must wear a face mask, to help keep other Queenslanders safe. Check when you need to wear a mask. You might also choose to wear a mask where you are not able to physically distance from others.

More information

• Queensland Health COVID-19 website and latest updates
• Queensland's COVID-19 economic recovery

You can also contact the dedicated Queensland Health COVID-19 hotline on 13 42 68 (13 COVID).  

If you have concerns about your health, speak to your doctor.