Getting medical help for Coronavirus after hours

During the coronavirus pandemic, knowing how and where to get the medical information you need is a vital part of protecting yourself, your loved ones, and the wider Tasmanian community. What do you do or who can you call to get medical help for Coronavirus after hours?

Tas After Hours has a comprehensive range of resources if you need to get help at night, on the weekend, on public holidays, or anytime your GP is closed. View the list of helplines, try the symptoms checker, or link in with healthdirect, a free 24-hour medical helpline where you can speak to a nurse who can help direct you to the care you need.

Coronavirus guidelines

Coronavirus (also referred to as COVID-19) is an international pandemic. It is easily transmitted from person to person, and to protect ourselves and others, we are being advised to:

practise good hygiene
practise social distancing
follow the limits for public gatherings
understand how to self-isolate if you need to.

During this time, it is as important as ever to maintain general good health. This is particularly true for people with chronic health conditions, older people and other at-risk members of the community.

Chronic health conditions

The term ‘chronic conditions’ refers to a broad range of chronic and complex health conditions across the spectrum of illness, including mental illness, trauma, disability and genetic disorders. They are generally long-term and occur across the life cycle.

Conditions like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (also known as COPD) diabetes, arthritis and high blood pressure (hypertension) are all examples of chronic health conditions.

It is still as important as ever to maintain good health, particularly for those with a chronic health condition.

What about appointments?

During the COVID-19 pandemic, many people will still need to check in with their doctor. It is important to know that your doctor’s clinic may be taking additional precautions to keep you and other patients safe. It is a good idea to check their website, read any signs on the door and take the advice of the reception staff when you arrive.

What if you need medical help?

If you think you might have COVID-19 because you feel unwell with a fever OR cough, sore throat or shortness of breath AND have recently travelled internationally or interstate OR had contact with a confirmed case, phone the Tasmanian Public Health Hotline on 1800 671 738 or your GP straight away. Tell them about your symptoms and recent travel.

If you have serious symptoms, such as difficulty breathing, call Triple Zero (000) and ask for an ambulance. Tell the operator and the ambulance officer about your recent travel.

If you go to see your GP, you must call ahead and mention your symptoms and recent travel

If you haven’t travelled or had contact with confirmed case, phone your doctor or healthdirect Australia (1800 022 222). Protect others around you by washing your hands and keeping your distance.

For general information about coronavirus, including the national response, call the National Coronavirus Information Line on 1800 020 080 (24 hours, 7 days). If you require translating or interpreting services, call 131 450.

Find out more about coronavirus on the Tasmanian Government’s dedicated coronavirus website.

You can also find the latest the Australian Government information about the national coronavirus response D epartment of Health website.