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The highs and lows of the pandemic have provided plenty of material for comedian Paul McDermott over the past two years, including performances about isolation and lockdowns.
Key points:
- Many Australians are doing their best to recover from COVID-19 at home
- Broad requirements for PCR testing have been removed, meaning many people with COVID-19 are not counted in the official system
- People are being told to call their GPs, but many are already fielding hundreds of calls a day
But now he has firsthand experience with the virus, after testing positive before Christmas.
"When we actually got to perform the shows … there was a commonality that we're all going through this shared experience," McDermott told 7.30.
"Now that I've had COVID, I'll be able to write and sing some songs about that experience as well.
"But it's a dark comedy."
McDermott said despite being double vaccinated, he and his family were hit hard by the symptoms.
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The performer documented some of his experience on Twitter.
"The sore throat, the burning eyes, very foggy brain, lethargy and tiredness were probably the overwhelming aspects of it," McDermott told 7.30.
McDermott is concerned about the pressure on the healthcare system, the accessibility of rapid antigen tests (RAT) and the support being offered to people.
"I can't imagine that those home services for people ringing up were going to be coping if they were finding it difficult at 2,000 cases a day, if they'd be coping well at 20,000 cases a day," he said.
"Anyone isolated or marginalised, I think would find it very difficult."
The performer wants others to know if they're struggling with what have been described as 'mild' symptoms, they're not alone.
"If you're having difficulty once you've contracted COVID, you're not alone in that, and shouldn't be made to feel like it should have just been a mild case.
"It's not pleasant, so don't get it."
Dealing with COVID-19 at home
Doctors advise being prepared for the possibility of a positive test by stocking up with painkillers and electrolyte drinks, as well as two weeks' supply of any prescription medications.
It's also recommended to discuss an isolation plan with family and friends.
"Most people who are healthy, who get COVID at the moment, who get Omicron … are going to have a mild illness that they can deal with at home," said Dr Sanjaya Senanayake, infectious diseases expert at the ANU.
"The important things to do are to make sure you keep well hydrated, that you rest a lot and take Panadol for your fevers."
Dr Senanayake said it was important to reach out for medical support or even call an ambulance if symptoms escalate.
"If people are getting increasingly short of breath, they're getting severe chest pains, they're getting intractable fevers, they can't eat and drink because of nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, or they're feeling dizzy, those are red flags that they need to contact someone."
GPs under pressure
National cabinet on Wednesday dropped the requirement for a PCR test to confirm a positive RAT result.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison instead urged people to call their GP to tell them they're COVID-19 positive.
But GPs say they are already inundated with patients, while also administering booster shots and working through the details of the new testing system.
Dr Karen Price is the President of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP).
"We are at risk of overwhelming all of the health system," Dr Price told 7.30.
"And many practices are having to enact their disaster plans.
"I acknowledge it's difficult, you know, the virus is the one in charge here."
In the UK, people have been told to notify health authorities of their RAT results online.
Mr Morrison said he was confident states and territories would get a system up and running to record RAT results, but further details were still being confirmed.
QR codes and official reporting hotlines are being considered in some states, with Victoria announcing on Thursday plans for a register to record positive RAT results.
"We aren't clear on the infrastructure required, and we are currently working with the [federal] government to try and work this through, but it's kind of a backwards way," Dr Price said.
"We are going to have to rely on people being honest regarding [their tests] because it's very difficult to verify whose test is whose if it's not performed in front of a healthcare provider."
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