Temperatures in metropolitan Adelaide are set to soar above 30C today as a severe weather warning is issued for districts
As temperatures get set to rise to above 30 degrees today, with weather warnings for strong winds, people are being warned to take preventative medicine for allergies - and if symptoms persist or change, to get a COVID test.
SA News
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As Adelaide braces for the warmest early September day in more than 10 years, the wind is also stirring up pollen and dust, causing hayfever symptoms that can mirror COVID-19 symptoms.
Asthma Australia is urging the one in five South Australians who get seasonal allergies to take precautions and help stop symptoms from coming on, but if symptoms persist or change then get a COVID test and self-isolate.
Asthma Australia chief executive Michele Goldman said allergy symptoms can present like COVID-19 and include a runny nose, blocked sinuses, cough, sneezing, itchy eyes, shortness of breath and fatigue.
“Don’t take risks. If you’re unsure, get tested,” Ms Goldman said.
“If you’re treating asthma and allergy regularly and symptoms persist or change, like a new continuous cough or fever, please seek further medical advice.”
She said people should be taking preventative action for allergies and asthma - especially on days like today where temperatures and winds are high.
“If you get on top of your allergies and asthma, you have a clearer picture of any new or worsening symptoms which may be caused by other things, like the COVID-19 virus”, she said.
People with uncontrolled allergies and asthma are more likely to get symptoms and touch their face more frequently due to a runny nose, cough and irritated eyes. This is known to be a way people can be infected by COVID-19.
Asthma preventer medications and nasal steroid sprays are effective in reducing symptoms but do take a few weeks to be fully effective.
“In a pandemic, if you can prevent sneezing, a runny nose, rubbing your eyes and getting shortness of breath, you should, it will be better for you and those around you,” Ms Goldman said.
“If you can, it’s advisable to get an allergy test so you can identify exactly what’s ailing you. A written Asthma Action Plan and an allergic rhinitis treatment plan (hay fever) are both highly important to manage your asthma and allergies, she added.
Mobile Apps like AusPollen and AirRater are now active and can help people check pollen levels.
Bureau of Meteorology duty forecaster Jenny Horvat said today’s forecast of 31C could be the hottest day recorded in early September since 2009, where Kent Town recorded 30.9C.
Ms Horvat said the high temperatures were unusual for this time of the year in Adelaide.
“Most often you see your temperatures of above 30 degrees later in the month of September, so after the 20th,” Ms Horvat said.
“It’s warm, it’s windy, it’s unusual for this time of year to see 30s in Adelaide.”
A severe weather warning has been issued for the lower South East, the West Coast, the Eyre Peninsula, the Yorke Peninsula, the Mount Lofty Ranges and Kangaroo Island with gusts of 50-65km/h expected for the districts.
âš ï¸Severe Weather Warning for damaging north to northwesterly winds expected to develop mid Monday morning. Check out the warning here: https://t.co/MrM3fxkLzU pic.twitter.com/hHbRGeU1ML
— Bureau of Meteorology, South Australia (@BOM_SA) September 6, 2020
Ms Horvat said the windy warm conditions bring risk of fires to regions experiencing high wind alerts.
“So very high fire danger for a few districts with those hot and windy conditions but not severe so not quite high enough for a warning.”
Northerly winds in metropolitan Adelaide could see some dust storms later in the day, she said.
“A couple of those northerly winds will actually bring in some dust from the north so it might get a bit hazy especially near the northern suburbs this afternoon.”
A cool change will hit the state on Tuesday morning, with a high of 19C expected.
“It’s going to be short lived because we’ve got this change moving through tomorrow morning for the metropolitan area.
“It’s looking like a dry change, were not looking at any significant rainfall with that coming through.”
For information about managing asthma during spring, please visit the Asthma Australia website or for help please call 1800 ASTHMA (1800 272 462).
The Asthma Australia Adelaide Pollen Count will start reporting on daily grass pollen and other pollens in the air from this coming Monday September 14.
If you think you have symptoms of coronavirus, call the national hotline on 1800 020 080 or visit www.health.gov.au or SA Health for more information.