Acute respiratory infection activity

Respiratory infections (that cause coughs, runny noses, fevers, and sore throats) are caused by a range of viruses, including COVID-19, influenza (flu), RSV and others. These viruses circulate in the community at different levels throughout the year.

From late autumn throughout winter, we typically see more cases of flu and RSV. COVID-19 activity increases in waves at different times of the year, during both the winter and summer months. 

At times, all viruses may be spreading in the community and at other times only one may be more common. 

Acute Respiratory Infection activity data 

• The Department of Health provides a weekly report on acute respiratory infection activity in Tasmania. 
• This report includes whether respiratory virus activity in the community is low, moderate or high and whether activity is increasing, decreasing or staying stable. 
• This report is to help Tasmanians understand what respiratory infection activity is occurring in the community and what steps they can take to reduce the risk to themselves and others. 
• It also helps workplaces manage their work, health and safety plans.
• More detailed respiratory infection surveillance data is published weekly in RespTas report. 

Regardless of the level of respiratory infection activity in the community, it is important to continue practising simple behaviours to keep ourselves and others well. 

When activity is moderate or high, there are some extra steps we should take. 

Simple behaviours to follow every day 

When respiratory infection activity is low it may not be obvious that respiratory infection is in the community, but a low activity level does not mean there is no risk at all. Viruses will still be present and circulating in the community.

Everyone should: 

• Be up to date with your COVID-19 (including boosters) and annual flu vaccinations. Tasmanians aged 60 years and over are encouraged to talk to their health care provider about RSV vaccines.
• Stay home if you have any cold or flu-like symptoms, and remain at home until your symptoms have resolved.
• Wear a face mask if you must leave home while you have symptoms.
• Do not visit high risk settings or people at higher risk from respiratory infection for at least seven days if you have cold or flu-like symptoms or test positive for any respiratory virus. 
• Be alert for symptoms if you have been exposed to a person with acute respiratory infection or who tests positive for COVID-19, the flu or RSV.
• Cover coughs and sneezes and keep your hands clean by washing with soap and water, or by using alcohol-based hand sanitiser.

People at risk of severe infection should:

• Consider wearing a face mask in crowded indoor spaces.
• Make a plan for access to testing and treatment with your GP or healthcare provider before you get sick.
• Get tested as soon as you have symptoms. This can be on a rapid antigen test or PCR test. 
• Seek urgent antiviral treatment if you test positive for COVID-19 - it is very important to get treatment early. If you don’t have a regular GP or they aren’t available, contact the Care@home team on 1800 973 363 to discuss your options

High Risk Settings (including hospitals, residential aged care and disability residential settings) should:

• Maintain and update your Work, Health and Safety policies
• Continue Infection Prevention and Control practices and training
• Look out for cases and manage cases and outbreaks quickly
• Maximise ventilation
• Keep informed.
• Have plans in place to prevent, identify and respond to respiratory outbreaks

Businesses should:

• Maintain your Work, Health and Safety and Business Continuity plans
• Maximise ventilation
• Keep informed.

Additional behaviours to follow when activity is MODERATE

When respiratory infection activity is moderate, it means there is increased respiratory infection activity in the community. 

There are cases of respiratory infection in hospitals and outbreaks in aged care facilities and other settings. You may notice family and friends with respiratory infection symptoms and staff away sick from work.

More people may be wearing masks, and you will hear more about respiratory infections in the media and from the Government and Department of Health.

People at risk of severe infection should:

• Wear a face mask in indoor or crowded public settings. 
• Make or review a plan with your GP or healthcare provider for access to testing and antiviral treatment before you get sick. 

High Risk Settings (including hospitals, residential aged care and disability residential settings) should:

• Implement the increased risk mitigation measures in your Work, Health and Safety Plan. These may include:
  • Health screening and mask wearing for staff and visitors
  • Enhanced Personal Protective Equipment and Infection Prevention and Control measures

Businesses should:

• Review Work, Health and Safety and Business Continuity plans.
• Additional measures may include health reminders and supporting mask wearing for staff and visitors.

Additional behaviours to follow when activity is HIGH

When the activity is high we can expect to see:

• many cases of in hospital, respiratory infection related deaths are occurring most days and outbreaks in many settings are common. 
• workplaces may find it hard to operate due to absent sick staff.
• there is widespread community transmission of acute respiratory infection.
• special measures may be recommended to keep everyone safe.

Everyone should:

• Wear a mask in all indoor spaces outside of their homes and on public transport. 

People at risk of severe infection should:

• Ensure you have an up-to-date plan for access to testing and antiviral treatment with your GP or healthcare provider before you get sick. 
• Avoid indoor crowded public spaces where the risk of catching a respiratory infection may be higher. 

High Risk Settings (including hospitals, residential aged care and disability residential settings) should:

• Implement the increased risk mitigation measures in your Work Health and Safety Plan
• Implement health screening and mask wearing for all visitors and consider visitor limits
• Require prior RAT screening for visitors to residential aged and disability care facilities if COVID-19 activity is high
• Staff surveillance RAT testing if COVID-19 activity is high
• Implement enhanced PPE
• Be vigilant for cases and manage cases and outbreaks quickly

Businesses should:

• Mask wearing for staff
• Support work from home where possible