It can spread when a person coughs or sneezes the virus into the air. People may breathe in the virus or touch the virus on surfaces.
Everybody is at risk of getting coronavirus (COVID-19). For most people, they will only develop mild illness, but others may develop severe sickness that affects the lungs, heart and brain.
People who have weaker immune systems or chronic health conditions (such as asthma, diabetes and heart disease) and Aboriginal Elders are at greater risk of getting very sick or dying from COVID-19.
Most people with COVID-19 have mild symptoms and recover.
But some people like Elders, or people with medical conditions can get very sick and may need to go to the hospital.
COVID-19 can cause symptoms like:
• fever (a temperature of 37.5˚C or higher) or chills
• cough
• loss of taste or smell
• sore throat
• tiredness (fatigue)
• runny or blocked nose
• shortness of breath (difficulty breathing)
• nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea
• headache
• muscle or joint pain
• loss of appetite.
For some people, sickness can be more severe and can lead to pneumonia or breathing difficulties and can even cause death.
Call OOO if you need urgent medical help (such as chest pain or difficulty breathing.
