COVID19
COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
Community RAT Program
Free Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) are now available for community members to collect at the following locations:
- Customer Service Office, 34 Lyle Street Warracknabeal
- Gateway BEET, Hopetoun
If you have symptoms or have been in contact with someone who has COVID-19, please do not collect RATs until you are well. If you can’t get to a location, a guardian or carer can collect your free RATs for you.
What if I have symptoms or I am a contact of a COVID-19 case?
If you have COVID-19 symptoms, do not go to a council location to collect your free RATs. Instead, please collect free RATs at testing sites which you can find through the coronavirus website
Where can I get more information on the use of RATs?
For more information about getting tested and reporting a positive RAT result, visit the Department of Health website
Alternatively you can call the National Coronavirus Helpline on 1800 675 398.
COVID-19 Updates
We are encouraging people to stay informed about health matters directly with Victoria's COVID-19 lead agency DHHS.
This is where the most up to date information can be found.
For information on how to book a vaccination https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/book-your-vaccine-appointment
PROTECT YOURSELF AND OTHERS
Anyone can get sick from COVID-19, but some people are more vulnerable to severe illness if they have existing health problems or are older.
We can all take steps right now to reduce the spread of COVID-19 to protect ourselves, our loved ones and the wider community.
- Get vaccinated
- Wear a face mask indoors
- Let fresh air in
- Stay home if unwell
- Get tested if unwell
- Get medicines if at risk
VIRUS INFORMATION
For information regarding health questions please contact the DHHS Coronavirus hotline on 1800 675 398 or visit the DHHS Coronavirus website.
Updates will be made to this page as changes are made to our services.
2023 Booster Update
Additional 2023 COVID-19 vaccination update
It is important to ensure the safety of our community, especially our older members. Older age continues to be the biggest risk factor for severe COVID-19. Vaccination is the best way to protect yourself from severe illness or death from COVID-19.
All COVID-19 vaccines are anticipated to provide benefit to eligible people. However, the monovalent Omicron XBB.1.5 vaccines are preferred over other vaccines for eligible people.
If you know an older member of our community who may benefit from this information, please share it with them.
Book a vaccination
Let’s ensure that everyone has access to the latest updates on COVID-19 vaccinations.
For more information, visit the Department of Health and Aged Care website:
health.gov.au/covid-19-vaccines.
To find a COVID-19 vaccine clinic near you:
Call the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222 if you need COVID-19 advice.
Oral antiviral treatments
Oral antivirals treatments are safe and effective in reducing the severity of COVID-19 and are available to people at high risk of severe illness from COVID-19 including people 70 years and older.
Be prepared, if you are aged 70 years or older, or have one of the risk factors, we encourage you to have an early discussion with your GP or nurse practitioner about:
- whether an oral antiviral suits your health needs
- developing a COVID-19 plan if you test positive to COVID-19 including how to acess antivirals quickly if you need them.
You must start the treatment as soon as possible or within 5 days of COVID-19 symptoms beginning. Oral antiviral treatments may help stop COVID-19 infection from becoming severe.