Covid-19 advice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

You can help stop the spread by:

• keeping your hands clean — wash your hands with soap and water (where possible) for at least 20 seconds. Do this after you cough or sneeze, go to the toilet, and before you make any food
• coughing or sneezing into the inside of your elbow, not your hands
• putting your tissues in the bin after you use them and washing your hands after
• not touching your face
• cleaning surfaces often, such as door handles, kitchen and bathroom benchtops
• not hugging or shaking hands with people
• keeping away from people and family if you are sick with a fever, cough or sore throat or are having trouble breathing — and seeking medical help.

Keeping in touch with your community

Staying connected with family, friends and your community is important. Some ways you can do this are:

• calling people for a yarn on the phone
• talking about the community and checking if they are OK
• talking about the virus and how to stop the spread
• connecting with family and friends on social media
• sharing your tips on social media #KeepOurMobSafe.

People most at risk

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people can be at higher risk in any public health emergency.

You are at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19 if you:

• are 70 years of age or over
• have had a bone marrow transplant in the past 24 months
• have blood cancer, like leukaemia, lymphoma or myelodysplastic syndrome (diagnosed in the past 5 years)
• are having chemotherapy or radiotherapy
• chronic renal (kidney) failure
• have, or recently diagnosed, with cancer (diagnosed in the last 12 months)
• diabetes
• severe obesity with a BMI ≥ 40 kg/m2
• chronic liver disease
• heart disease
• chronic lung disease.

Why remote communities are at risk

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and people living in remote communities are at greater risk from COVID-19. This is because:

• there are often higher rates of other health issues in these communities
• it can be harder to access health care
• people in the community may be very mobile and travel often
• people often rely more on outreach services in remote places.

Thanks to health.gov.au for the above advice.

Further information

Health.gov.au –   Common questions for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Cancer Australia – Cancer and Covid-19 for our mob.