10/01/2026
Pleasant day to all!
Five going on six years ago, COVID was all we could think about. Today, we’d rather forget about lockdowns, taking simple at home tests and social distancing. But the virus that sparked the pandemic, SARS-CoV-2, or COVID 19 as we knew it, is still circulating.
It is VERY much present. As a Community Pharmacist, I have been noticing a huge surge in the amount of particularly severe cases of viruses in general, some resulting in hospitalization.
I can only speak for those who chose to get tested, and out of every 20 people, at least 1-2 produced positive COVID results.
Most people who get COVID today may experience only a mild illness. But some people are still at risk of severe illness and are more likely to be hospitalised with COVID. This includes older people, those who are immunocompromised by conditions such as cancer, and people with other health conditions such as diabetes.
What are the most common COVID symptoms?
Typical early symptoms of COVID included fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose and shortness of breath. These have remained the most common COVID symptoms across the multiple variant waves. And there are MULTIPLE variants to this day in January 2026.
Should you bother doing a test?
YES. Testing is particularly important if you experience COVID-like symptoms or were recently exposed to someone with severe symptoms regardless of whether they were tested or not. Chances are they weren't. You might require timely treatment.
If you do test positive, while you don’t have to isolate, it’s best to stay at home. It has barely been a week since schools have reopened, and the demand for cough and cold medication has doubled.
Parents, keep your kids at home if they are sick nah, it's not fair to the other children to be exposed to these viruses, COVID or not.
If you do leave the house while experiencing COVID symptoms, minimise the spread to others by wearing a well-fitted mask, avoiding public places such as hospitals and avoiding contact with those at higher risk of severe COVID.
How long does COVID last these days?
In most people with mild to moderate COVID, it can last 7–10 days.
Symptomatic people can spread the infection to others from about 48 hours before they develop symptoms to about 10 days after symptoms develop.
Guys this is where we have to be careful. Whilst the virus is nowhere nearing pandemic status as it was 5 or 6 years ago, many of us seem to forget it is still in fact contagious and we must still follow the same guidelines to contain the virus as we once did.
In an effort to be more informed and as such be able to advise the public and be more knowledgeable on the status of the virus, I have reduced the cost of my most reliable at home kit to $36.00.
