Coronavirus (COVID-19) health alert

The World Health Organization has announced that COVID-19 is a pandemic. Find out how we are monitoring and responding to the outbreak, how you can help slow the spread of COVID-19 in Australia, and what to do if you have symptoms. We also report the latest official medical advice and case numbers.

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Coronavirus (COVID-19) help stop the spread

Alert statusActive
Last updated27 March 2020

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Current status

The situation is changing rapidly.

Daily case and situation updates

See daily reports on COVID-19 case numbers and the current situation in Australia and overseas.

News and media

Keep up to date with our COVID-19 news and media or see our COVID-19 resources.

For more COVID-19 news and media across all of government go to australia.gov.au

Symptoms

If you have serious symptoms such as difficulty breathing, call 000 for urgent medical help.

Symptoms include:

fever
coughing
sore throat
fatigue
shortness of breath

If you are sick and think you might have COVID-19, check your symptoms using healthdirect’s Coronavirus (COVID-19) Symptom Checker.

healthdirect Coronavirus (COVID-19) Symptom Checker

Answer questions about your symptoms to see if you need to seek medical help or get tested. This tool is available online at any time.

Protect others and stop the spread

We can all help slow the spread of COVID-19 in Australia.

To protect others you must:

practise good hygiene
practise social distancing
follow the limits for public gatherings
understand how to self-isolate if you need to

If you have a confirmed case, you must isolate yourself to stop the virus spreading to other people.

If you’re concerned

You can call the National Coronavirus Helpline for information and advice about COVID-19. If you require translating or interpreting services, call 131 450.

National Coronavirus Helpline

Call this line if you are seeking information on coronavirus (COVID-19). The line operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week.1800 020 080

View contact

How to seek medical help

If you have used the symptom checker and it advises you should seek help or get tested, see how to seek medical help.

If you are having a medical emergency call 000.

GP respiratory clinics

The Australian Government is also establishing 100 GP Respiratory Clinics to assess people with symptoms.

We are setting these clinics up over the next few weeks. Clinics in Ryde, NSW, and Morayfield, Qld, started operating on 21 March 2020.

If you’re not currently near Ryde, NSW, or Morayfield, Qld, there is no GP Respiratory Clinic in your area yet.

Some public hospitals have opened fever clinics. Visit your state or territory health department website for more information on state and territory fever clinics and other services.

If you are feeling worried or anxious about COVID-19 there are steps you can take. Find out more at Head to Health’s COVID‑19 support page.

Advice for people most at risk

See more information and advice for people most at risk, including:

Health and aged care sector advice

Health and aged care sector

Our advice for the health and aged care sector includes Public Health Unit guidelines, epidemiology reports and other resources.

Government response

Australia.gov.au

Visit Australia.gov.au to learn more about COVID-19 support from all of government including financial support and advice for businesses and employees, help for education providers, advice on domestic and international travel and other community services.

How we are managing the outbreak

The Prime Minister has activated the Emergency Response Plan for Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19).

To find out how the Australian Government is managing COVID-19, go to Government response to the outbreak.Tags:

Coronavirus (COVID-19)