COVID-19 is a disease caused by infection with a coronavirus called SARS-CoV-2. Common symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat and shortness of breath. Other symptoms include fatigue, loss of taste or smell, and congestion or runny nose. COVID-19 is usually milder in children than in adults.
How it spreads
COVID-19 spreads by droplets in the air that contain the virus or direct contact with mucus or saliva. People get infected by:
- breathing in droplets when an infected person breathes, coughs or sneezes on them
- touching a surface contaminated with droplets - for example, hands, tissues, toys or eating utensils - and then touching their mouth.
Vaccination and boosters against COVID-19 are available to everyone through the Australian National Immunisation Program.
Exclusion period
Refer to state or territory advice.
If a person has respiratory symptoms (cough, sneezing, runny or blocked nose, sore throat), exclude them only if:
- the respiratory symptoms are severe or
- the respiratory symptoms are getting worse (more frequent or severe), or
- they also have concerning symptoms (fever, rash, tiredness, pain, poor feeding).
Otherwise, do not exclude.
A person often has an ongoing cough after they have recovered from a respiratory infection. If their other symptoms have gone and they feel well, they can return to the service.
Risks in pregnancy
If you are pregnant, there is a higher risk of complications for yourself and your baby if you catch COVID-19. There is a very rare risk of premature birth, mainly in unvaccinated women. Staying up to date with vaccinations, washing hands regularly and wearing masks can help reduce your risk of getting COVID-19. Read more at Pregnancy and COVID-19.
Actions for educators and other staff
Encourage good respiratory and hand hygiene for all staff and children. Encourage COVID-19 vaccination for eligible people.
Check with your state or territory health department for local advice on managing COVID-19 infections.
Actions for parents and carers
If your child is eligible, the best way to protect them against COVID-19 is to get them vaccinated.
Most children who get COVID-19 have a mild infection that is like a common cold. Keep your child at home until their symptoms have gone and they feel well. If your child still has a cough, but their other symptoms have gone and they feel well, they can return to the service.
Teach them to cough and sneeze into a tissue, then throw the tissue into a bin and wash their hands.
Check with your state or territory health department for local advice on what to do when your child has COVID-19.
More information about COVID-19
See healthdirect for more information on prevention, diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19.
To find out if a child needs medical help, you can:
- use the health direct online symptom checker
- speak to a registered nurse by calling their 24-hour health advice hotline on 1800 022 222.
