COVID-19 is a new coronavirus. Coronaviruses cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases. COVID-19 can affect your breathing and lungs. Most people experience mild illness and recover, but for some people it is more severe and may require medical attention and could result in death.
- COVID-19 infection can be more severe for people aged 70 years and over, people aged 65 years and over with chronic medical conditions, people with compromised immune systems, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people over the age of 50
- Severe disease can also affect people with palliative care needs
- If many people are infected it can also mean that your usual care team is not always available to help you and that you need to do more for yourself
- Avoiding infection is best but if you or the person you are caring for becomes infected with COVID-19 there are things you can do.