With so many Tier 1 and Tier 2 exposure sites now identified in Shepparton, GV Health has released a list of frequently asked questions that may get people some clarity about their situation as the Shepparton COVID-19 crisis unfolds.
Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content
TIER 1 EXPOSURE
Key Information
• All Primary Close Contacts must get tested immediately. We encourage all household members to also get tested.
• Household members should monitor for symptoms and get tested as soon as they develop.
• Financial and other support is available for you.
• You may receive a phone call from a private number. Please answer this as it is likely to be a member of the health team to discuss your situation.
Isolating at home
Q: Who needs to isolate at home?
A: Victorian Department of Health require Tier 1 contacts to get tested and isolate at home for 14 days from the date of exposure.
Q: Can I leave my house for any reason?
A: To ensure your safety and minimise the risk of COVID-19 transmission everyone in your household must stay at home for 14 days, except:
• to get urgent medical care
• to get tested for COVID-19
• in an emergency
• if you or your children are escaping harm or are at risk of harm from family violence – you should also call Safe Steps on 1800 015 188 or email safesteps@safesteps.org.au for help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Q: Why are people being asked to isolate at home?
A: Tier 1 sites have a high risk of transmission of COVID-19. There is a risk that, at any time during the isolation period, a primary close contact may develop COVID-19, even if they have had an initial negative test.
Q: Do household members usually go into isolation as well?
A: Yes.
Q: Why are household members told to isolate?
A: Because COVID-19 is highly infectious and can be transmitted without symptoms or before symptoms, the Department of Health requires household members of primary close contacts to isolate. This means that if they catch COVID-19 from their household member they would not be able to spread it further.
Q: Can I have visitors to my home?
A: No. This includes visitors in your front or backyard, as well as tradespeople (like plumbers or electricians).
Q: I am fully vaccinated. Do I still need to isolate for 14 days?
A: Yes. You (and anyone you live with) must stay at home for 14 days, even if you are fully vaccinated.
While vaccination is very important for stopping you from getting very sick from COVID-19, it does not completely prevent the risk of catching the virus or passing it on to others.
Q: Do I need to isolate for 14 days even if I get a negative test result?
A: Yes. If you were at a Tier 1 exposure site you (and anyone you live with) must stay at home for 14 days, even if you get a negative test result.
There is a risk that, at any time during the isolation period, a primary close contact may develop COVID-19 and unknowingly pass the infection to their household, even if they have had an initial negative test.
Q: Can I leave home to buy food/groceries while I am in isolation?
A: No. If you can get your groceries delivered, this is the best option. Make sure anyone dropping off food or groceries drops them at your door, and you do not open the door while they are there or speak to them in person.
Q: How will I know when I have finished my 14 days in isolation?
A: The Victorian Department of Health will contact you by phone to let you know when you can leave your home.
You will need a negative test result on day 13 and a formal letter from the Department of Health before you will be allowed to leave your home.
Q: What will happen next?
A: Public Health Units and the Victorian Department of Health will contact primary close contacts and their households in the coming days. During these calls, isolation is explained, your isolation dates will be confirmed, and information is given regarding access to support.
Q: How can I get further information?
A: The Victorian Department of Health has information available in many different languages:
https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/translated-information-about-coronavirus-covid-19
For further information and support, please contact the Coronavirus hotline on 1300 651 160 (24 hours).
Testing
Q: Does everyone in my household need to get tested?
A: Only primary close contacts (those identified as having been exposed to someone with COVID at a Tier 1 exposure site) need to get tested.
The remainder of the household should carefully monitor for symptoms and get tested as soon as these develop.
Q: Where can I get tested?
A: You can get tested at any testing locations. Locations are available at www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/where-get-tested-covid-19.
Q: Why should I get tested if I don’t have symptoms?
A: Unfortunately, you might still be COVID-positive even if you have no symptoms. Everyone responds to the virus differently – some fall very ill and even die, and others remain completely asymptomatic, but can infect others who become very ill or die. Please get tested even if you have no symptoms.
Q: What if I have symptoms and need to get a test?
A: You are able to leave your home to get a test during isolation, but it is important that you take steps to minimise the risk to others when doing so.
There are a few ways you can get tested safely while you have symptoms:
• If you are able to travel by private vehicle, please do so. Please wear a mask while you are out of the house, and make sure you perform hand hygiene before you leave your home.
• If you are not able to drive in a private vehicle, you can walk to a testing site as long as you can do so without entering any communal (shared) indoor areas (like lifts, foyers, stairwells) while there are other people present. Please wear a mask while you are out of the house, and make sure you perform hand hygiene before you leave your home.
• If you cannot attend a testing site in either of the above ways, then you may be eligible for an in-home test. Please call the Coronavirus hotline on 1300 651 160.
Q: Is there an alternative to nasal and throat swab testing?
A: Nasal and throat swab testing is the only testing method recommended for diagnosing COVID-19.
Q: Do babies and young children need to get tested?
A: Yes, all primary close contacts need to be tested. We have specialist teams available who can test young children and babies.
Q: If I already had COVID-19, could I get a false positive test result now?
A: It is very unlikely you will return a false positive result from a previous COVID-19 infection. It is possible to catch COVID-19 twice, especially with different variants.
Q: Do I need to have another test after the first one?
A: Yes. COVID-19 can take up to two weeks to develop in the body and result in a positive test after exposure.
Even if you have tested negative now, you may later test positive. That is why you are encouraged to test at the start of your 14-day isolation and again at the end on day 13.
All primary close contacts must be tested on day 13. You will not be released from isolation on day 14 without a negative test result.
TIER 2 EXPOSURES
Isolating at home
Q: How do I know if I need to isolate?
A: If you were present at a Tier 2 site you should urgently get a COVID-19 test and isolate until receiving a negative result.
Q: How long do I need to isolate for?
A: For a Tier 2 site, you must isolate until you receive a negative test result. Most test results are provided within 24 hours, with the remainder provided the next day.
Q: Can I have visitors to my home while I’m in isolation?
A: No. This includes visitors in your front or backyard, as well as tradespeople (like plumbers or electricians).
Q: I am fully vaccinated. Do I still need to isolate while awaiting my test results?
A: Yes.
Q: Can I leave home to buy food/groceries while I am in isolation?
A: No. If you can get your groceries delivered, this is the best option. Make sure anyone dropping off food or groceries drops them at your door, and you do not open the door while they are there or speak to them in person.
Q: Is there any reason I can leave home during isolation?
A: The only reasons you’re permitted to leave home are:
• to get urgent medical care
• to get tested for COVID-19
• in an emergency
• if you or your children are escaping harm or are at risk of harm from family violence – you should also call Safe Steps on 1800 015 188 or email safesteps@safesteps.org.au for help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Q: My test result was negative. Do I still need to isolate? Do I need to stay at home?
A: For a Tier 2 site, if your test result is negative, you do not need to isolate further but should continue to monitor for symptoms and get tested again if symptoms appear.
Testing
Q: Where can I get tested?
A: You can get tested at any testing location. Testing locations can be found at www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/where-get-tested-covid-19.
Q: Why should I get tested if I don’t have symptoms?
A: Unfortunately, you might still be COVID-positive even if you have no symptoms. Everyone responds to the virus differently – some fall very ill and even die, and others remain completely asymptomatic, but can infect others who become very ill or die. Please get tested if you have been at a Tier 2 exposure site even if you have no symptoms.
Q: What if I have symptoms and need to get a test?
A: You are able to leave your home to get a test during isolation, but it is important that you take steps to minimise the risk to others when doing so. There are a few ways you can get tested safely while you have symptoms:
1. If you are able to travel by private vehicle, please do so. Please wear a mask while you are out of the house, and make sure you perform hand hygiene before you leave your home.
2. If you are not able to drive in a private vehicle, you can walk to a testing site as long as you can do so without entering any communal (shared) indoor areas (like lifts, foyers, stairwells) while there are other people present. Please wear a mask while you are out of the house, and make sure you perform hand hygiene before you leave your home.
3. If you cannot attend a testing site in either of the above ways, then you may be eligible for an in-home test. Please call the Coronavirus hotline on 1300 651 160.
Q: Is there an alternative to nasal and throat swab testing?
A: Nasal AND throat swab testing is the only testing method recommended for diagnosing COVID-19.
Q: Do I need to show my test results to the school?
A: No. Your test results will not be shared with anyone except the Victorian Department of Health.
Q: If I already had COVID-19, could I get a false positive test result now?
A: It is very unlikely you will return a false positive result from a previous COVID-19 infection. It is possible to catch COVID-19 twice, especially with different variants.
Q: Do I need to have another test after the first one?
A: For Tier 2 sites, you do not need another test after the first one but should continue to monitor for symptoms and get tested again if symptoms appear.