Who is most at risk of a serious illness?
Some people who are infected may not get sick at all, some will get mild symptoms from which they will recover easily, and others may become very ill, very quickly. From previous experience with other coronaviruses, the people at most risk of serious infection are:
people with compromised immune systems, such as people with cancer
elderly people
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
very young children and babies, and
people with diagnosed chronic medical conditions.
How is the virus treated? There is no specific treatment for coronaviruses. Antibiotics are not effective against viruses. Most of the symptoms can be treated with supportive medical care. Should I wear a face mask? You do not need to wear a mask if you are healthy.
While the use of masks can help to prevent transmission of disease from infected patients to others, masks are not currently recommended for use by healthy members of the public for the prevention of infections like coronavirus.
More information For the latest advice, information and resources, go to
www.health.gov.au
Call the National Coronavirus Health Information Line on 1800 020 080. It operates 24 hours