What to do if you test positive for COVID-19
Your first priority is your health and wellbeing. COVID-19 can be a serious illness. If your symptoms are severe or worsen, contact your GP or call the Department of Health hotline on 1800 675 398.
Reporting a positive test result
If you test positive for COVID-19, please let your manager know and complete our online COVID-19 Positive Notification Form. If you received a positive result using a RAT, you also need to notify the Department of Health using their COVID-19 Positive Rapid Antigen Test Self-Reporting Form.
Isolating at home
If you are diagnosed with COVID-19 you must isolate to prevent the spread of infection. The day you received a positive result is Day 0. You can return to work on Day 7 if you are free of symptoms.
Support and guidance
The COVID-19 and you factsheet has been developed for employees who have been diagnosed with COVID-19 and have mild to moderate symptoms.
What to do if you are symptomatic
If you have tested negative for COVID-19 and your symptoms are improving or completely recovered, you may be able to return to work.
You may return to work if you meet the following criteria:
- You have received a negative PCR test
- Your symptoms are improving, or you are feeling better (no muscle aches and pains, no headache, improving cough, etc.)
- You have not experienced a fever in the past 24 hours
You must wear an N95 while on-site and have breaks alone until your symptoms are resolved.
If your PCR test returns a negative result, but your symptoms are not improving or worsening, do not attend work. Please take another PCR test.
What to do if you are a close contact
You are a close contact if you have spent more than four hours with someone who has COVID-19 inside a house, accommodation or care facility without appropriate PPE in place.
Healthcare workers who are close contacts and have no symptoms can attend work provided you:
- You have received a negative PCR test
- Your symptoms are improving
- You have not experienced a fever in the past 24 hours
You must:
- Notify your manager and complete the Monash Health Close Contact Form
- Undertake daily RAT testing for five days
- Wear an N95 while on-site and have breaks alone.
If your PCR test returns a negative result, but your symptoms are not improving or worsening, do not attend work. Please take another PCR test.