Symptoms of COVID-19
The symptoms of COVID-19 can range from mild to severe and may include fever, chills, sore throat, sneezing, shortness of breath, runny nose, cough, loss of smell and/or taste, headache, fatigue, muscle or body aches, nausea (with or without vomiting) and diarrhoea.
Most people recover well from COVID-19. However, high-risk groups, such as those with certain health conditions and older people, are more likely to suffer more serious symptoms.
Information on high-risk groups can be found here: Groups at higher risk from COVID-19
Some people with COVID-19 have no symptoms (asymptomatic), while others may develop longer-term symptoms known as long COVID.
How COVID-19 spreads
COVID-19 can be spread by direct physical contact with an infected individual, and indirectly through contaminated objects and surfaces.
Respiratory droplets and smaller particles (aerosols), such as those produced by a cough or sneeze, can carry the COVID-19 virus. These droplets and particles can enter the body through the nose, mouth or eyes.
People with COVID-19 are most likely to spread the virus to others when they have symptoms, however people with no symptoms can still spread the virus to others.
The COVID-19 pandemic
The first case of COVID-19 was detected in Australia in January 2020, and it was declared a human biosecurity emergency in March 2020.
A range of public health and social measures were implemented to contain the spread of the disease.
COVID-19 had significant and wide-reaching impacts across Australian workplaces.
In October 2023, it was acknowledged that COVID-19 is no longer a public health emergency.
Australia has now shifted to managing COVID-19 like other common communicable diseases - with a focus on prevention, reducing transmission and managing serious illness, hospitalisations and death.
Supporting information
Further information on COVID-19 is available at Coronavirus (COVID-19) | Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care