IF you return a positive test, are you prepared to isolate yourself for at least seven days?
Below is a list of essential supplies and tasks to help you be the most prepared for isolating. You do not need to ‘stockpile’ products. Simply purchase essential items when you are grocery shopping, so you have them on hand if you contract Coronavirus.
CREATE A COVID PLAN – Plan with your household how to manage a COVID-19 outbreak at home. Discuss your individual needs and plan of action. This should include a list of emergency contacts, such as your doctor, trusted friends and neighbours, employers, and community resources. If you are able, decide on and dedicate one room to be used to isolate family members who are displaying symptoms.
ENSURE YOU HAVE ENOUGH FOOD TO LAST AT LEAST SEVEN DAYS – Pick up enough long-life meals and ingredients so you and your household can eat for the seven days you are required to isolate. If you can, pre-make meals and store these in the freezer. Frozen meals and ingredients, canned foods, pasta sauces, pastas and grains with a long-shelf life, dried fruits, granola bars, meal replacements, staple items like flour and coffee are a good place to start. Do not forget pet food if you have animals.
ENSURE YOU HAVE ENOUGH MEDICATION TO MANAGE SYMPTOMS AND/OR OTHER HEALTH CONCERNS – Symptoms of Covid can be managed with pain and fever medications, such as ibuprofen. Have any prescriptions filled for an extra month if you can, and purchase vitamins and minerals to support your immune system.
FIND A RAT TEST – On day one and day six that you are isolating, you need to submit a Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) to the Department of Health. Demand for RATs is greater than the supply, although supply is expected to improve. RATs can be bought online, from pharmacies and retailers, including major supermarkets.
ENSURE YOU HAVE ENOUGH SANITARY AND HYGIENE PRODUCTS TO MINIMISE TRANSMISSION AT HOME – To stop the spread at home and eradicate COVID-19 from surfaces, make sure you have a supply of hand soap and sanitizer, laundry detergent, dish soap, garbage bags, latex gloves, surgical masks, floor cleaner, bleach, and disinfectant. Do not forget essential sanitary items, such as female hygiene products, toothpaste, and nappies.
