COVID-19

Question 1

What is the organism responsible for COVID-19?

Answer 1

SARS-CoV-2

Multiple subvariants of the Omicron variant are in circulation.

Question 2

How is COVID-19 primarily transmitted?

Answer 2

Respiratory droplets (and aerosols)

Fomite transmission is rare.

Question 3

What are common clinical features of COVID-19?

Answer 3

Acute respiratory symptoms, loss of smell/taste, pneumonia, ARDS, complications in other organ systems

CFR generally low.

Question 4

What is Long COVID?

Answer 4

Fatigue, mood symptoms, sleep disorders, chest pain, shortness of breath

Affects up to 1 in 20 people, more in males/younger individuals. Average duration is 3-4 months.

Question 5

Who are considered high-risk groups for COVID-19?

Answer 5

Older individuals, those with comorbidities, immunosuppressed, unvaccinated, Indigenous, pregnant women.

Question 6

What are the case definitions for COVID-19?

Answer 6

Confirmed: PCR/isolation/seroconversion; Probable: RAT

RATs are no longer reported in Victoria.

Question 7

What methods are used for diagnosing COVID-19?

Answer 7

PCR or RAT

PCR is mainly used in hospitalized patients, healthcare workers, and residential aged care facilities.

Question 8

What is the average incubation period for Omicron subvariants?

Answer 8

Average 3 days (range 0-8 days)

Ancestral strain was 1-14 days, average 5-6 days.

Question 9

What is the infectious period for COVID-19?

Answer 9

48 hours prior to symptom onset, generally up to 10 days.

Question 10

What defines an outbreak of COVID-19?

Answer 10

As per ARI outbreak guidance, 2 or more residents in 72 hours.

Question 11

When was COVID-19 first detected?

Answer 11

Late 2019 in Wuhan, China.

Question 12

When was the COVID-19 pandemic declared by WHO?

Answer 12

11 March 2020.

Question 13

What factors contributed to the elimination of sustained transmission of COVID-19 in Australia during 2020-2022?

Answer 13

Strong border controls, travel restrictions, lockdowns, community restrictions.

Question 14

What has been noted about the Omicron subvariant regarding public health measures?

Answer 14

It was unable to be contained by public health measures.

Question 15

What were the pandemic orders in Victoria ceased?

Answer 15

October 2022.

Question 16

What is the third leading cause of fatal disease burden in 2022?

Answer 16

COVID-19

This is the first time in over 50 years that an infectious disease has been in the top 5 causes of death.

Question 17

What vaccination measures were taken against COVID-19?

Answer 17

Vaccination commenced in February 2021, primary course of 2 doses for all aged 5+, booster doses for adults.

Question 18

What are the types of vaccines available for COVID-19?

Answer 18

mRNA (Pfizer and Moderna), protein-based (Novavax), bivalent mRNA vaccines.

Question 19

What hygiene measures are recommended to prevent COVID-19?

Answer 19

General and respiratory hygiene, physical distancing, improved ventilation, masks, staying home while unwell.

Question 20

What is the recommended isolation period for COVID-19 cases?

Answer 20

At least 5 days and until well.

Question 21

What should close contacts of COVID-19 cases do?

Answer 21

Regular RATs for 7 days, isolate and test if symptomatic, avoid high-risk settings, mask when leaving home.

Question 22

What is the focus of outbreak management in COVID-19?

Answer 22

Outbreak management in high-risk residential settings and hospitals.

Question 23

What is the recommended testing frequency for contacts in an outbreak?

Answer 23

Regular testing, RA test 5 out of 7 days.

Question 24

What additional measures are suggested for outbreak management?

Answer 24

IPC, cleaning, air scrubbers, staff RA testing, staff cohorting, essential visitors, communications.