COVID-19 is here. We can’t stop it, but there is much we can do, both for ourselves and others.

Only days ago, we were sharing memes, making fun of silly handshakes and toilet paper shortages. Now there’s a confirmed case of COVID-19 in our local region.

We’ve all seen the pictures of Italy’s barren streets, planes being turned around in Europe, and heard the plight of Australian’s dealing with novel coronavirus abroad.

But here in the Fleurieu and KI, you can still look out your window and see your neighbours walking their dogs.

Our supermarkets haven’t run out of all essentials. They assure us there are supplies still regularly coming in.

We have water to drink, electricity to power our lights and devices, gas to cook our meals with, food to eat and fresh air to breathe.

Even knowing this, it is easy to get sucked into the black hole of anxiety and paranoia. 

We can’t stop coronavirus, but as a community we can do our best to weather this storm. We can protect our own mental and physical health and that of others in our community during this unprecedented global crisis.

SA Health announced yesterday that all COVID-19 testing clinics are now operating seven days a week.

South Australia’s first regional COVID-19 testing clinic opened yesterday at Mt Barker District Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital so people in the area have access to timely testing and treatment.

For more information, contact the Coronavirus Health Information line on 1800 020 080 (The line operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week) or go to sahealth.sa.gov.au/COVID2019. 

The term COVID-19 refers to the virus and when it was first identified.

With experts predicting novel coronavirus will be around for months to come and is nowhere near its peak, it is timely to be reminded of the things we can do to protect our health and the health of others.

Wash your hands – correctly.

Health professionals say this cannot be stressed enough. Simple hygiene measures, including correct hand washing for a minimum of 20 seconds, has a big impact on the spread of COVID-19. 

It’s easy – do it. (If you struggle with counting 20 seconds, it is recommended you sing “Happy Birthday” twice).

Keep our medical professionals safe.

If you feel unwell and suspect you may have COVID-19, the advice from GPs is to phone ahead. Don’t just turn up.

This will help to minimize the spread amongst others in waiting rooms and keep our medical professionals safe. We need them.

Stay socially connected.

Social distancing does not mean complete social isolation. There are still ways of staying connected.

This highlights how important friendship and community connections are in our lives – and how difficult it can be when they are missing. During the coronavirus outbreak, it is especially important we stay in touch with people who are alone, or who are in isolation.

Pick up the phone. Talk to your neighbour over the fence.

Information about self isolation

Here in the Fleurieu and KI we are privileged to have a high level of sunshine hours. Fresh air and sunshine are nature’s healers and germ killers. They’re free - use them.

Get outside, breathe fresh air and sunshine, do some exercise.

Ask for help if you need it – and offer help where you can.

Keep connected in your community, look after others, pick up the phone. We’re all in this together.

The Australian Government Department of Health has issued this information and guidelines about the Coronavirus - take a moment to become familiar with facts and procedures to ensure your safety and the safety of others.

How is this coronavirus spread?

Coronavirus is most likely to spread from person-to-person through:

· Direct close contact with a person while they are infectious or in the 24 hours before their symptoms appeared.

· Close contact with a person with a confirmed infection who coughs or sneezes.

· Touching objects or surfaces (such as door handles or tables) contaminated from a cough or sneeze from a person with a confirmed infection, and then touching your mouth or face.

How can we help prevent the spread of coronavirus?

Practising good hand and sneeze/cough hygiene and keeping your distance from others when you are sick is the best defence against most viruses.

You should:

· Wash your hands frequently with soap and water, before and after eating, and after going to the toilet.

·  Cover your cough and sneeze, dispose of tissues, and wash your hands.

· If unwell, avoid contact with others (stay more than 1.5 metres from people).

·  Exercise personal responsibility for social distancing measures.

What is social distancing?

Social distancing is one way to help slow the spread of viruses such as COVID-19. Social distancing includes staying at home when you are unwell and keeping a distance of 1.5 metres between you and other people whenever possible. It is important to minimise physical contact especially with people at higher risk of developing serious symptoms, such as older people and people with existing health conditions.

There’s no need to change your daily routine, but taking these social distancing precautions can help protect the people in our community who are most at risk.

Who needs to isolate?

All people who arrive in Australia from overseas, or think may they have been in close contact with a confirmed case of coronavirus, are required to self-isolate for 14 days.

What does isolate in your home mean?

If you have been diagnosed with COVID-19, you must stay at home to prevent it spreading to other people. You might also be asked to stay at home if you may have been exposed to the virus.

Staying at home means you:

· do not go to public places such as work, school, shopping centres, childcare or university

· ask someone to get food and other necessities for you and leave them at your front door

· do not let visitors in — only people who usually live with you should be in your home

You do not need to wear a mask in your home. If you need to go out to seek medical attention, wear a surgical mask (if you have one) to protect others.

For more information, visit www.health.gov.au/covid19-resources

What do I do if I develop symptoms?

If you develop symptoms (fever, a cough, sore throat, tiredness or shortness of breath) within 14 days of arriving in Australia, or within 14 days of last contact of a confirmed case, you should arrange to see your doctor for urgent assessment.

You should telephone the health clinic or hospital before you arrive and tell them your travel history or that you may have been in contact with a potential case of coronavirus.

You must remain isolated either in your home, hotel or a health care setting until public health authorities inform you it is safe for you to return to your usual activities

Story created by the Fleurieu App and NZ Central App, March 18, 2020