HARM REDUCTION VICTORIA
ABN: 46 114 268 362
COVID-19
aka Coronavirus
:: Some Things You Should Know for
People Who Use Drugs or
are on Pharmacotherapy ::
First Things First-
What Is A Coronavirus?
Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses which may cause illness in animals or humans.
In humans, several coronaviruses are known to cause respiratory infections ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS).
The most recently discovered coronavirus causes coronavirus disease COVID-19. The one we are dealing with NOW around the world.
This new corona virus (COVID-19) and disease were unknown before the outbreak was announced in Wuhan, China, in December 2019.
What Are The
Symptoms?
The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, tiredness, and dry cough.
Some patients may have aches and pains, nasal congestion, runny nose, sore throat or diarrhea. These symptoms are usually mild and begin gradually.
Some people become infected but don’t develop any symptoms and don't feel unwell.
Most people (about 80%) recover from the disease without needing special treatment.
Around 1 out of every 6 people who gets COVID-19 becomes seriously ill and develops difficulty breathing. Older people, and those with underlying medical problems like high blood pressure, heart problems or diabetes, and immune deficiency issues are more likely to develop serious illness.
People with fever, cough and difficulty breathing should seek medical attention.
Call your clinic BEFORE going there.
How Does It
Spread?
The disease can spread from person to person through small droplets from the nose or mouth which are spread when a person with COVID-19 coughs or exhales. These droplets can land on objects and surfaces around the person. Other people then catch COVID-19 by touching these objects or surfaces, then touching their eyes, nose or mouth.
People can also catch COVID-19 if they breathe in droplets from a person with COVID-19 who coughs out or exhales or sneezes etc droplets.
Studies to date suggest that the virus that causes COVID-19 is mainly transmitted through contact with respiratory droplets rather than through the air.
The risk of catching COVID-19 from someone with no symptoms at all is very low.
However, many people with COVID-19 experience only mild symptoms.
This is particularly true at the early stages of the disease.
It is therefore possible to catch COVID-19 from someone who has, for example, just a mild cough and does not feel ill.
The World Health Organisation is assessing ongoing research on the ways COVID-19 is spread and the period of transmission of COVID-19 and will continue to share updated findings.
Downloadable BADGES for
people with a valid reason to not wear a mask
The Victorian Department of Health and Human Services has developed a series of badges for people who are unable to wear a face covering for a valid reason. The badges can be downloaded on smartphones or printed to keep in a wallet or lanyard holder.
Smartphone badges
-
I am exempt from wearing a face-covering for valid reasons - blue badge (jpg)
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I am exempt from wearing a face-covering for valid reasons - white badge (jpg)
For people who are deaf or hard of hearing and need the person they are communicating with to remove their face mask:
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Please remove your face covering so we can understand each other better - blue badge (jpg)
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Please remove your face covering so we can understand each other better - white badge (jpg)
Print-ready badges
HRVic's
COVID-19
SEPT 13 UPDATE
(Lockdown #2 Victoria)
HRVic's
COVID-19
SEPT 27th UPDATE
(Lockdown #2 Victoria)
LATEST
HRVic's
COVID-19
& Drug Use
Resource #1
HRVic's
COVID-19
& Planning For the Substance Dependent
Resource #2
HRVic's
COVID-19
& Pharmacotherapy
Resource #3
