Keeping safe through Covid-19

16/06/2021

News, Media

General guidelines 

Vaccination

Information about booking your vaccine.

Masks

Information on masks can be found here.

PPE Guidance

To keep you informed on current guidelines regarding gloves, masks, and other personal protective equipment (PPE) used by community care providers (includes aged residential care, aged-related community care, disability, hospice, and homecare) information can be downloaded here.

PPE information from the Ministry of Health (MoH): What’s important for you to know about PPE.

Feeling unwell in general?

If you have symptoms of a cold or flu you should get tested for COVID-19. Do not put off seeking healthcare. Contact your GP or Healthline. Healthline can arrange an interpreter if English is not your preferred language.

The flu vaccine is recommended and free for people who are vulnerable and most likely to get more severe symptoms.

Symptoms

Symptoms of COVID-19 are similar to a range of other common illnesses such as a cold or influenza. Having any of these symptoms does not necessarily mean that you have COVID-19. Under current recommendations, even those with mild symptoms are encouraged to get tested. Anyone with any of the following symptoms should get assessed:

  • fever (at least 38˚C)
  • a new or worsening cough
  • shortness of breath or finding it hard to breathe
  • sore throat
  • sneezing and runny nose
  • temporary loss of smell

Some people may present with less typical symptoms such as only: fever, diarrhoea, headache, myalgia (muscle pain), nausea/vomiting, or confusion/irritability.

Symptoms can take up to 14 days to show after a person has been infected. The virus can be passed onto others before they know they have it – from up to two days before symptoms develop.

If you have these symptoms call Healthline (for free) on 0800 358 5453 or your doctor immediately.

Read more about COVID-19 assessment and testing.

If you are struggling to breathe, please get medical help urgently by calling 111 

The World Health Organisation (WHO) have put together a comprehensive FAQ here.

Prevention – how to protect yourself and others

Information on how to protect yourselves and others is here.

Long Covid

Info on Long Covid at Health Navigator NZ and the Ministry of Health (MoH).

For COVID-19 health advice and information

Call 0800 358 5453 (or for international SIMs +64 9 358 5453). It is free and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Callers are able to talk with a member of the National Telehealth Service. They have access to interpreters.

Use this dedicated number:

  • To register if you have self-isolated yourself
  • For any coronavirus health advice and information and any questions you have about coronavirus, self-isolation etc

For more information on caring for yourself and others who have, or may have, COVID-19 at home, download the Ministry of Health’s infosheet.

Accessible Information

For information and advice in other formats:

NZ Sign Language (NZSL) | Te Reo Māori | Easy Read | Large Print & Audio

Information for Pacific peoples.

Also: Te Reo Māori, Hindi, Japanese, Chinese Traditional and Chinese Simplified All translations here