How can we help?
Covid-19 information for Suitsme clients based in WA
Prepare for COVID-19
Preparing for COVID-19 makes it easier if you become infected or exposed to COVID-19. Here are some general tips:
- Make sure you have enough face masks and hand sanitiser ready.
- Prepare a kit with basic medical supplies such as a thermometer, pain relief medication, electrolytes, your regular medications, and rapid antigen tests (RATs). Click here to find a list of places where you can get free RATs
- Choose someone to deliver supplies such as groceries and medication. This can be a family member or a friend.
- Have someone ready to help look after your children, pets, or anyone else in your care, in case you need to go to hospital.
- Have an emergency contact list with important phone numbers, such as your nominated support person, emergency services, and a GP.
Speak to your worker or contact Suitsme if you would like support to make a plan or to get prepared.
During Sessions
Masks
Face masks are not mandatory in Western Australia, but they should be worn in crowded indoor spaces and where physical distancing is not possible.
You are required to comply with all public health advice set out by the Western Australian Government. You can keep update to date with advice on masks here.
Vaccination
Are Suitsme workers vaccinated?
All Suitsme workers meet the government mandated vaccination requirements.
Do I have to get vaccinated?
Suitsme encourages you to get vaccinated against Covid-19. By getting vaccinated you are helping to keep yourself, Suitsme workers and your community safe. Furthermore, current Government restrictions mean that your access to the community will be severely limited if you are not vaccinated.
Your worker can support you to get vaccinated, all you have to do is ask them. Once you are vaccinated, Suitsme encourages you to indicate this in the app; there is a specific field for it.
You can find a vaccination clinic here: https://covid-vaccine.healthdirect.gov.au/booking/
What do I do if I have symptoms?
Let your worker know before they attend a session with you.
Get tested and follow government guidelines if you have any of the following, no matter how mild:
- Fever (≥37.50C) OR recent history of fever (e.g. night sweats, chills), without a known source
- Acute respiratory symptoms (including cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, runny nose)
- Acute loss of smell or taste
Click here to find a list of places where you can get free RATs
What is a “close contact”?
A close contact is now defined as:
- a household member or intimate partner of a person with COVID-19 who has had contact with them during their infectious period,
- someone who has had close personal interaction with a person with COVID-19 during their infectious period, where they spent 4 hours of cumulative contact with them in a residential setting, (i.e. a home, accommodation facility) in any 24-hour period where masks have been removed by both people during the period of contact
- someone who is directed by WA Health that they are a close contact.
What do I do if I’m a close contact?
- Let your worker know before they attend a session with you
- You or your worker must then inform Suitsme immediately
- Follow Government guidelines
- Take a COVID-19 test.
What do I do if I test positive for Covid-19?
- Let your worker know before they attend a session with you
- You or your worker must then inform Suitsme immediately
- Follow Government guidelines
You do not need a negative COVID-19 result to leave isolation and receive face-to-face supports if you have completed 7 days of isolation since testing positive, and no longer have symptoms.
Long COVID
A person is usually considered to have long COVID if their symptoms have persisted for longer than two months after their initial infection. Most symptoms progressively resolve, and it is uncommon for symptoms to persist for more than a year.
Long COVID symptoms can include:
- extreme fatigue (tiredness)
- shortness of breath, heart palpitations, chest pain or tightness
- problems with memory and concentration
- changes to taste and smell
- joint and muscle pain.
If you continue to experience symptoms, make an appointment with your GP. Your worker can support you to make and attend appointments.