Most people can manage COVID-19 at home, with some simple advice. If you are under 65 years of age (previously under 50 years of age), have had two doses of COVID-19 vaccine, do not suffer from any chronic conditions and are not pregnant you can safely manage COVID-19 at home.
If you have tested positive for COVID-19 and are pregnant, please call the NSW Health COVID-19 Care at Home Support Line on 1800 960 933.
You must self-isolate for 7 days from the day you were tested. You can only leave self-isolation after 7 days if you do not have a sore throat, runny nose, cough or shortness of breath. You will receive an SMS from NSW Health after 7 days, but you do not have to wait for this SMS to leave self-isolation if it has been 7 days since you were tested.
If you have a sore throat, runny nose, cough or shortness of breath in the last 24 hours of your isolation. please call the NSW Care at Home Support Line on 1800 960 933 for further advice. If you are under the care of a clinical team, your team will tell you when you will be released from isolation.
There are certain people who can manage COVID-19 safely at their home. This includes if you:
While you are self-isolating at home, it is important you check how you are feeling and reach out for help if you need it.
If you have a chronic condition, including those listed below, please call the NSW Health COVID-19 Care at Home Support Line on 1800 960 933 for further medical assistance in managing COVID-19.
You can also contact your GP or the NSW Health COVID-19 Care at Home Support Line on 1800 960 933 if you have any questions.
It is important to keep track of how you feel while you are managing COVID-19 at home. Each day, ask yourself:
If the answer is 'no', or you feel dizzy or lightheaded when standing up and walking around the room, call your GP or the NSW Health COVID-19 Care at Home Support Line on 1800 960 933 for assistance:
For information on how to self-isolate, read the NSW Health COVID-19 self-isolation guideline.
If you have tested positive for COVID-19, you are likely to experience:
A lot of these symptoms can be relieved by simple remedies including:
Some more detailed suggestions on managing the common COVID-19 symptoms:
If you have symptoms or concerns at any time while you are self-isolating you should call your GP, Healthdirect on 1800 022 222 or the NSW Health COVID-19 Care at Home Support Line on 1800 960 933.
If you have mild symptoms, concerns or questions at any time while you are self-isolating you should call your GP or the NSW Health COVID-19 Care at Home Support Line on 1800 960 933
If it is a medical emergency, call Triple Zero (000) immediately. Let them know you have COVID-19. A medical emergency includes if you:
When the ambulance arrives, put a face mask on before you open the front door.
For free help in your language, call the Interpreter Service on 13 14 50
Contact a family member or friend and tell them you have COVID-19. Ask them to contact you daily at agreed times so they know you are okay.
This support person will help keep you safe, but cannot visit you in person.
Most children who test positive for COVID-19 can be safely cared for at home by their usual household carers, even if they are not vaccinated.
When caring for your child with COVID-19 at home, you should:
Monitor your child's condition and call your GP or NSW Health COVID-19 Care at Home Support Line on 1800 960 933 (8.30 am – 8.30 pm ) or the National Coronavirus Helpline on 1800 020 080 ( 24/7) if you notice any of the following:
If you are concerned that your child is seriously unwell, has difficulty breathing, is severely dehydrated or is fainting, please call Triple Zero (000) immediately and inform the operator that your child has COVID-19
Ensure all family members wear a mask when the ambulance arrives.
Paramedics will attend to commence care and take your child to the Emergency Department. An ambulance is the safest way to get to the hospital from isolating at home.
Self-isolation is tough for everyone, but especially children. Consider the below tips to help your child cope with self-isolation while they are COVID-19 positive:
These resources provide up-to-date information on COVID-19: