Doctors are urging people to stay at home when sick even if COVID-19 tests come back negative
The days of coming into work with a cough and a runny nose are over, with doctors telling Queenslanders to stay home even if they are sick with something other than coronavirus.
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Do not go to work if you are sick, even if you have been cleared of COVID-19.
That is the message the state’s doctors are urging Queenslanders to pay attention to.
Australian Medical Association Queensland GP spokesman Dr Nick Yim said there Australian culture of going to work even when you were a bit sick needed to change.
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“There’s been a bit of a culture at Australian workplaces if you’ve got symptoms like a cough or congestion you don’t worry about it and you go to work. Doctors and medical professionals are as guilty of it as anyone,” he said.
“But at the moment that has to change.
“We don’t want people going into work with a runny nose or having them coughing everywhere.”
Dr Yim said as anyone with cold and flu are being tested for COVID-19, reducing the number of cold and flu cases can reduce the burden on doctors and testers.
“If anyone is unwell, then they need to get tested for COVID and stay at home until their symptoms are resolved,” he said.
Dr Yim urged Queenslanders to listen to official health advice regarding the coronavirus pandemic as well as other illnesses.