For most people with COVID-19, recovering at home will the best option for care.

When you are at home with COVID-19, you may be contacted by healthcare workers from your local public hospital, community health services or a GP through the COVID-19 Positive Care Pathways program. They will want to understand the level of care you might need based on your personal preference and circumstances, and by how well or unwell you feel.

Managing COVID-19 at home when you have mild symptoms ensures hospital beds are kept free for people who are seriously unwell and need urgent medical treatment.

This page contains important guidance for Victorians who have COVID-19 or are caring for someone who has COVID-19. It explains mild, worsening and severe symptoms and tells you how to effectively isolate at home away from others.

Looking after yourself or someone else with COVID-19

As with any illness, even if you’re feeling well or only slightly unwell, it’s important to watch your symptoms and understand when you might need to get help.

'Wait and see' can be a dangerous choice - some symptoms are serious and should not be ignored. We know that when severe symptoms occur in COVID-19 patients, their health can deteriorate rapidly.

You risk severe illness requiring hospital admission, intensive care, the use of a machine to assist breathing, or even death if you don't seek urgent medical help for serious COVID-19 symptoms. See 'Severe symptoms: get immediate help' below for more information.

Symptoms to watch out for and when to get help

It is very important to monitor the symptoms when you or someone you care for gets COVID-19, particularly if you feel they are getting worse.


For more information, please visit https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/managing-covid-19-home