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People at higher risk
Most people who are up to date with their COVID-19 vaccinations who have COVID-19 will have mild to moderate symptoms and be able to recover at home.
Some people are at higher risk of developing severe illness from COVID-19. These people should take extra precautions to help them recover if they get COVID-19.
Who is at higher risk from COVID-19?
Coronavirus (COVID-19) can make anyone seriously ill but for some people, the risk is higher.
For most people at high risk from COVID-19, vaccination will significantly reduce this risk, however some people continue to be at high risk from COVID-19, despite vaccination.
For some people in this group there are special treatments called antivirals that can help reduce the severity of disease and risk of hospitalisation and death.
Some of the reasons why people may be classed as vulnerable, or at higher risk to severe disease include (but not exhaustive):
- Aged over 60 years old
- Living in a residential aged care or disability facility
- Living with disability with multiple conditions or frailty
- Neurological conditions – stroke, dementia
- Demyelinating conditions (e.g., multiple sclerosis or Guillain-Barre Syndrome)
- Chronic respiratory conditions, including COPD, moderate to severe asthma
- Obesity
- Diabetes – Type I or II requiring medication
- Cardiac disease
- Kidney failure
- Cirrhosis
- Immunocompromised
- Transplant recipient
- HIV
- Chemotherapy in the last three months
- Whole body radiation in the last three months
- Immunosuppressive therapy in last three months
- Cerebral palsy or Down Syndrome
- Congenital heart disease
- Blood cancer or some red cell disorders.
If you are at higher risk from COVID-19 you should:
If you are at higher risk from COVID-19 there are steps you can take to protect yourself from getting COVID-19 or from becoming very sick if you get it.
Stay up to date with vaccinations
- Vaccination remains one of the best ways to protect yourself from severe outcomes from COVID-19. This is even more important for older people.
- Keep up to date with your vaccinations by knowing which dose you’re eligible for.
- Vaccines remain the safest and most effective way to protect against COVID-19.
Find out more about vaccinations.
Accesses antiviral medication if you get sick
- Antiviral medications treat COVID-19 and are proven to save lives and reduce the risk of needing hospitalisation when taken early.
- People aged 70 and over and people with some chronic medical conditions are eligible for antiviral medications.
Find out more about antiviral treatments and who is eligible for antiviral medicine.
Information for people with disability
Many people with disability are supported by family, carers and/or support workers. It is important you continue to receive the support and services you need.
Supported Independent Living (SIL)
Any resident of Supported Independent Living (SIL) services showing symptoms of COVID-19 should be supported as per the Tasmanian Coronavirus (COVID-19) Disability Service Providers Preparedness and Response Plan and the obligations under the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission.
The Best Practice Guidance for Disability Services provides more detail on how sectors and workplaces can meet the Minimum Standards for disability providers, including NDIS Providers and In-home Services.
Where to find more information
The Australian Government Department of Health website has advice for people with disability.
Participants in the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) should contact the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) on 1800 800 110 if they need to talk to a planner, make changes to their plan or are having trouble getting services due to COVID-19.
More information about COVID-19 for NDIS participants and their families and carers is available on the NDIS website. The NDIS website also includes Easy Read information to support people with disability and the people who support them to respond to COVID-19.
The Council for Intellectual Disability has great resources about mask wearing during COVID-19.
Tasmania has disability advocacy services that can support people with disability to have their say or to help them understand how COVID-19 might affect them. These include:
