Testing
Covid-19 Vaccinations
What can I do to protect myself?
If you are vaccinated and boosted, then Omicron is more likely to be a mild illness. The top five symptoms of Omicron are a runny nose, headache, fatigue, sneezing and a sore throat. Fewer people have fever, cough, or loss/change of smell. Even relatively minor respiratory symptoms – “any cold symptom” – could be Covid-19.
Less common symptoms may include muscle pain or aches, nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhoea
Please do a rapid antigen test (RAT) before you see the doctor if you have symptoms. You can collect RATs from our nurse to do at home.
Please report your RAT result if positive. This will provide the Ministry of Health with important data.
Antiviral medications are available from many pharmacies if you are eligible, and you have tested positive for covid-19 within 5 days. In some cases, pharmacies may be able to dispense antivirals without a prescription.
covid-19.govt.nz information on medicines to treat Covid-19
If you test positive for Covid-19, report your result online (see above) and contact your doctor or pharmacy as soon as possible.
Managing Covid-19 at Home
If you have any medical concerns or problems coping at home, we are here to help.
- Phone us on 09 623 4599 to talk to a nurse or doctor.
- We can assess positive Covid-19 patients in our early afternoon clinic.
- If it is after hours or in the weekend, call Whakarongorau on 0800 358 5453
- The Whānau HQ guide to safely isolating at home is here.
- Unite Against Covid-19 website information if you test positive is here.
- Ministry of Health advice for people with Covid-19 is here.
- COVID-19 positive – managing your symptoms. Click here.
Day of infection and release from isolation:
- Asymptomatic with positive result – Day 0 is the day the positive test was taken.
- Symptomatic with positive result – Day 0 is the day symptoms started.
- You will receive an automated text on day 7 as a release and you may end your period of self isolation, provided you have no fever or significant symptoms. A COVID‑19 test at the end of isolation is not required.
Note - Your GP does not need to supply work certificates for COVID-related absences. Your text notification of your positive result or as a household close contact is deemed as an acceptable off-work notification to share with your employer.
You can find more information on these website links:
- https://covid19.govt.nz/covid-19-vaccines/
- Ministry of Health Covid-19 vaccines
- Immunisation Advisory Centre
- Covid-19 information for Māori
- Information for Pregnant Women
- Information for parents and caregivers
What can I do to protect myself?
As with all other respiratory illnesses, it’s important you practice safe hand, cough and sneeze hygiene to reduce the risk of infection.
- Frequently and thoroughly wash and dry your hands (with soap and water for at least 20-30 seconds).
- After the toilet
- After coughing or sneezing
- Before preparing food and before eating
- After touching “public” surfaces such as handrails, supermarket trolleys.
- At regular intervals during the day
- Alcohol based hand sanitiser is also a useful alternative option if soap and water is not readily available.
- Practice good cough and sneeze hygiene. That means:
- Cough or sneeze into your elbow or a disposable tissue, then put used tissues in a bin and wash your hands afterwards.
- Carry disposable tissues in your bags/pockets.
- Avoid touching your face. Viruses can enter the body through the eyes, nose and mouth.
- Social distancing.
- Be up to date with your covid-19 vaccinations
- Get an annual flu vaccination.