COVID-19 (coronavirus) advice for the UQ community - HEALTH - Health - About UQ

What are the symptoms of COVID-19?

Most common symptoms of COVID-19 include

fever
flu-like symptoms such as coughing, sore throat and fatigue
shortness of breath

Other less common symptoms include:

Aches and pains
Diarrhoea
Conjunctivitis
Loss of taste or smell
A rash on skin or discolouration of fingers or toes

Symptoms can range from a mild illness like a common cold to more severe disease-causing pneumonia and severe acute respiratory syndrome. Most people will recover easily.

I am sick with respiratory symptoms – what do I do?

Staff/students with respiratory illness (fever, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, runny nose, fatigue) must not come to campus, and must arrange to have a COVID-19 test as per QLD Government advice. You will need to remain isolated until your results come through, as per current public health recommendations. You must not return to campus until completely asymptomatic and have returned a negative test result.

What should I do if I am showing symptoms of the COVID-19 or have been in close contact with a confirmed case?

Are pregnant healthcare workers or pregnant healthcare students on placement at a higher risk if they contract COVID-19?

Whilst there is still little data regarding the specific effects of COVID-19 on pregnant women, the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (RANZCOG) make the recommendation that, “where possible, pregnant health care workers be allocated to patients, and duties, that have reduced exposure to patients with, or suspected to have, COVID-19 infection”. Further information is available here.

What if a colleague or someone I study with has cold or flu symptoms?

Be mindful that various conditions can produce cold or flu-like symptoms. People can have normal cold and flu viruses at any time, and as we move into the Australian flu season these are likely to increase.

It is reasonable to check on their welfare and ensure that they are aware of the latest health advice. If someone presents as unwell on campus and has cold and flu-like symptoms, either their supervisor, lecturer or even you should ask them if they feel unwell and if so to contact their medical practitioner (or UQ Health Care).

Importantly, if anyone feels unwell and has the onset of any cold or flu-like symptoms, they should stay at home and not attend campus. This is important to facilitate a quick recovery for them, and it is also important for their colleagues and friends whose health should be protected.

Staff should use UQ’s sick leave provisions.