Here are some useful links and telephone numbers for people who need help while isolating due to testing positive for COVID-19.
The COVID Positive Pathways Program supports residents of the city of Darebin who have been diagnosed with COVID-19 to isolate safely at home. The program ensures people get all the support they need and also helps stop the spread of COVID-19 in the community.
COVID Positive Pathways is run by Your Community Health in collaboration with Austin Health. If you have been diagnosed with COVID-19 and need support while isolating please call us on 0437 487 957 (9am – 5pm, 7 days). If you have tested positive via a rapid antigen test, to be eligible for support through the program you must report this to the Victorian Department COVID website.
GENERAL LINKS AND NUMBERS
Your COVID Checklist – What to do if you test positive to COVID-19 or if you have been told that you are a contact
Coronavirus Hotline (Victoria) – 1800 675 398 (24 hours, 7 days) Press 0 for an interpreter
Coronavirus Helpline (National) – 1800 020 080 (24 hours, 7 days)
Your Community Health – COVID Positive Pathways – 0437 487 957 (9am – 5pm, 7 days)
Austin Health – 1800 518 205 (Option 3 then 5) Call this number if you are concerned about your symptoms. If it is a medical emergency, call 000.
Department Of Health (Communicable Diseases) 1300 651 160 – Call this number if you have questions about your isolation period, including when you can finish isolating.
Rapid Antigen Tests Advice on when and how to use Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs)
Managing COVID-19 at home Information on getting the right help for your recovery and getting support to match your COVID-19 symptoms.
FINANCIAL AND OTHER SUPPORT
General
https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/support
https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/isolation-and-quarantine-extra-help-and-support
Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment – https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/individuals/services/centrelink/pandemic-leave-disaster-payment-victoria
Food relief and support services
https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/support#food-relief
Emergency food relief and support services in Darebin
https://askizzy.org.au/
Help with electricity, gas and water bills – https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/support#help-with-electricity-gas-and-water-bills
Social work services – https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/individuals/services/social-work-services
Family violence crisis response and support – https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/family-violence-crisis-response-and-support-during-coronavirus
ONLINE SHOPPING
Groceries
Coles Online updates COVID-19 | Coles
Click here to watch a step-by-step guide on how to shop online at Coles.
Online Shopping Information | Woolworths Online
If you cannot shop online, ask a friend or family member who is not isolating to shop for you and leave at your front door without making contact with you. If this is not possible, call Your Community Health on 0437 487 957.
Halal groceries
https://www.saharafresh.com.au/
Face masks, gloves, hand sanitizer
Chemist Warehouse or your local pharmacy (check that they deliver).
Medication
Over-the-counter medication such as Panadol can be purchased from a supermarket, Chemist Warehouse or your local pharmacy (check that they deliver).
If you run out of prescription medication, contact your regular pharmacy to see if they will deliver. If you need a prescription, make a telehealth appointment with your GP. Your GP can send an electronic prescription to any pharmacy. If the pharmacy does not deliver, ask a friend or family member who is not isolating to pick up and leave at your front door without making contact with you. If this is not possible, call Your Community Health on 0437 487 957.
LEAVING ISOLATION
You should receive a message from the Department of Health which states the date that you can finish quarantining. If you are unsure about when you can leave isolation, call the Coronavirus Hotline on 1800 675 398 or the Communicable Diseases section of the Victorian Department of Health on 1300 651 160.
VACCINATIONS
Vaccination after testing positive for COVID-19 – https://www.health.gov.au/initiatives-and-programs/covid-19-vaccines/advice-for-providers/clinical-guidance/additional-considerations#vaccination-after-testing-positive-for-covid19
Booking a COVID-19 vaccination appointment
https://covid-vaccine.healthdirect.gov.au/eligibility?lang=en
https://portal.cvms.vic.gov.au/
How to get proof of your COVID-19 vaccination – https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/individuals/subjects/getting-help-during-coronavirus-covid-19/covid-19-vaccinations/how-get-proof
Is it true? Get the facts on COVID-19 vaccines – https://www.health.gov.au/initiatives-and-programs/covid-19-vaccines/is-it-true
Medical exemptions – https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/individuals/services/medicare/australian-immunisation-register/what-register/immunisation-medical-exemptions
Contact your GP if you require a medical exemption.
MENTAL HEALTH
Tips for managing isolation – https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/tips-managing-isolation
Counselling – Your Community Health Counselling Service
Mental health resources for:
Children and young people – https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/mental-health-resources-children-and-young-people
Parents and families – https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/mental-health-resources-parents-and-families
Older people and seniors – https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/mental-health-resources-older-people-and-seniors
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities – https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/mental-health-resources-aboriginal-and-torres-strait-islander-communities
Culturally and linguistically diverse communities – https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/mental-health-resources-culturally-and-linguistically-diverse-communities
LGBTIQ+ communities – https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/mental-health-resources-lgbtiq-communities
CLEANING AND DISINFECTING YOUR HOME
Advice on how to clean and disinfect your home
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/disinfecting-your-home.html.
Please note that the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises that additional cleaning (i.e. deep cleaning) is not required if the person with COVID-19 has not been sick for more than 3 days. (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/disinfecting-your-home.html#NoLongerSick)