The 'second wave' in Victoria has disproportionately affected young people between the ages of 20 to 29.
The Department of Health and Human Services data shows that this age group represents a quarter of the state's cases since the beginning of July, while the age bracket of 60-69, one of the most at-risk groups, is only registering six per cent of cases.
Twenty per cent of patients in hospitals in Victoria for COVID-19 are under 50-years-old.
The DHHS has urged all Victorians who are sick or show even the mildest symptoms, to get tested and stay at home.
"It is concerning that young Victorians are catching and spreading coronavirus at a higher rate than anyone else in the community," Victoria's Minister for Health Jenny Mikakos told The Feed.
"While young people might only suffer mild symptoms and recover quickly - there is growing evidence of significant long-term impacts of the virus.
"It's about protecting your mum, dad, nonna and yiayia, your housemates and friends, and keeping them safe."
Mikakos told The Feed young Victorians should make sure they keep their social distance from others, wash their hands, wear a mask, and keep listening to the public health advice.
I want to get tested -- what should I know?
At present in Victoria, testing is encouraged for people with symptoms that have been associated with COVID-19. These include fever, chills or sweats, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, runny nose, and loss of sense of smell or taste.
In New South Wales, the same is true.
The Australian Government for GPs offering respiratory clinics for testing, and state governments have set up pop-up and drive through clinics across major cities and hotspots.
If you have those symptoms and have taken the test, and it comes back positive for COVID-19 the directive is to self-isolate for 14 days.
But if you have tested negative, in Victoria you are advised to self-isolate until your symptoms have gone. While in NSW, you are recommended to continue to isolate until the end of the 14 days, however, if symptoms persist health officials say you should get tested again.
Victoria distinguishes between self-isolating and quarantining. Those self-isolating have tested positive and therefore must stay at home until directed otherwise.
However, those quarantining have been thought to have had close contact with a confirmed case. It can take the form of the hotel quarantine for travellers returning abroad, or take place in your home.
The guidelines from the Victorian Government on how to practice self-isolation after testing positive are as follows: keep 1.5 metres from other people in your household; stay in different rooms to others in your home; sleep in separate bedrooms; use different bathrooms; and no one outside of your household should visit unless to provide medical, personal care or household assistance.
NSW recommends the same steps but advises the use of surgical masks at home when sharing the same space as other people in your household, to ensure those in your household are not at risk of the virus. You are also advised to wear a mask when receiving visits from health care professionals.
How long do I self-isolate for?
For Victorians, they will need to self-isolate until they receive communication from DHHS that they have been cleared. Until then, you must stay at the place you've chosen to self-isolate at the beginning of isolation.
In NSW, those who have tested positive and are isolating must wait for their doctor to confirm they have passed at least ten days since the symptoms began, and that there have been no symptoms in the last 72 hours.
What if I need to work?
The Victorian government launched a financial support scheme that will provide a one-off $300 payment for those who must self-isolate or quarantine while they are in the process of getting tested and waiting for the results.
The payment covers parents and guardians who are self-isolating while they await the
results of their COVID-19 tests.
This payment is meant to assist in the period of time before a diagnosis is known.
Additionally, there is another one-off payment of $1500 for workers in Victoria who have specifically been instructed by the DHHS to self-isolate or quarantine at home because they have been diagnosed with the coronavirus or are in close contact with a confirmed case.
The workers who are eligible include those who are full-time, casual, part-time, fixed-term, and self-employed. And citizenship or permanent residency isn't necessary to be eligible for the hardship payments - which means that those on temporary visas or who are international students are eligible for the hardship payments.
There are other elements of eligibility. These include; having no sick or special pandemic leave available; not receiving JobKeeper or other government income support; and being over the age of 17.
I've had a test. Can I go to the supermarket or the chemist?
No. Both in Victoria and NSW, if you are in quarantine or self-isolation you are advised to stay at home - that includes the time you're waiting for results to come back. Reaching out to friends and family to deliver essential items is recommended, as well as using delivery services for food.
When receiving a delivery you must maintain physical distancing from the person delivering the items, and they shouldn't come into your household. You are also advised to use contactless payments, and avoid paying with cash.
There are emergency relief packages in Victoria provided by DHHS, which contain essential items like medicine and food products. These packages are for those most vulnerable, and people who are in need of this are advised to call their hotline at 1800 675 398.
Can I still go on my walks?
This depends on where you are in Australia.
In - the only exemption for leaving home while in isolation or quarantine is to receive medical care or in an emergency. You are allowed into your private garden if you have one.
advice as NSW, you can only leave your home for medical care or an emergency.
If you are in , you are allowed to leave your home for exercise but must maintain physical distancing of 1.5 metres, and wear a mask as per the mandatory mask order from the Victorian government in metropolitan Melbourne and the Mitchell Shire. But that doesn’t mean you can go to the gym.
What should I do if I feel sick in self-isolation?
If you are in NSW, you should be contacting your local GP or public health clinic with the number 1300 066 055.
In Victoria, you should contact 1800 675 398 or call your doctor.
In Queensland, you should contact your doctor or call 13 43 25 84, a 24-hour hotline where you can speak to a health professional.
People in Australia must stay at least 1.5 metres away from others. Check your state’s restrictions on gathering limits.
If you are experiencing cold or flu symptoms, stay home and arrange a test by calling your doctor or contact the Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080.
