Can I manage my COVID-19 at home?
South Western Sydney is moving towards people self-managing their COVID-19 infection. This is because the majority of people are now double vaccinated and Omicron does not appear to affect people as strongly as
early forms of COVID-19. This means COVID-19 is usually not severe or life-threatening.
Most people can safely manage COVID-19 at home while you are isolating if:
- You have had at least two doses of COVID-19 vaccination
- You are under 65 years of age
- You do not have any chronic conditions, such as obesity, diabetes, immunocompromised or have a severe mental illness or chronic and complex medical condition
- You are not pregnant
If you meet one of the criteria above, it is recommended that you speak with your GP about additional supports.
What do I need to do?
You must isolate for seven days from the day you were tested. That means you should not leave your home unless seeking emergency medical care or to avoid an emergency situation such as domestic violence.
If you live with other people, there are some simple steps to reduce the chance or infecting others:
- Do not be in the same room as another person even if they are also in isolation. This includes sleeping in a separate room.
- Use a separate bathroom if you can, or clean a shared bathroom after use
- Avoid sharing household items such as dishes, cups, towels and bedding and always wash them after use.
It is important to make sure you have enough food and water. If you take medications, make sure you have enough to last through your isolation period. If you have care needs such as needing help to go to the toilet,
speak to the NSW COVID-19 Care at Home Support line on 1800 960 933 for assistance.
It is also good to have a support person who can phone you each day to make sure you are doing ok. This could be a family member or friend.
What can I expect?
Most people who have been double vaccinated have compared COVID-19 to a cold. You may feel some of the following symptoms:
- Fever
- Cold and flu like symptoms, such as runny or blocked nose, sore throat, cough
- Shortness of breath
- Nausea or diarrhoea
- Change in taste or smell (although this does not appear to happen as much with Omicron strain)
Most of these symptoms are easily managed. Ensure you get plenty of rest and are keeping your fluid levels up by regularly drinking water. You can also take over the counter medications (such as paracetamol, ibuprofen,
cough medicine or throat lozenges) if you are feeling any discomfort. For other ways to manage the symptoms, see NSW Health: Common Symptoms and Remedies.
If you have concerns about your symptoms, contact your GP or HealthDirect on 1800 022 222 or the NSW Health COVID-19 Care at Home Support Line on 1800 960 933.
