Testing for Covid-19 continues
As part of the Government’s ongoing Covid-19 elimination strategy, changes are being made to both the Covid-19 testing strategy, and the supporting case definition.
The testing strategy has been updated to reflect the current situation in New Zealand, where our greatest risk of re-introduction and spread of Covid-19 is from people travelling to New Zealand, and those working around the border and managed isolation facilities.
Testing for Covid-19 is prioritised for those at greatest risk.
There will still be testing of people with cold or flu-like symptoms as part of ongoing community testing and surveillance for the virus, and on the advice of the clinician.
The symptoms of Covid-19 are similar to common illnesses such as a cold or influenza and may be one or more of the following: cough, a high temperature, shortness of breath, sore throat, sneezing and runny nose, temporary loss of smell.
If your symptoms are mild, please note that it is safe to wait over the weekend and phone to arrange assessment on Monday.
Not everyone who is tested will need to self-isolate while they are awaiting their test results – only those who have acute respiratory symptoms and have had one or more of the following in the last 14 days: Contact with a confirmed or probable case; International travel; Direct contact with someone who has travelled overseas; History of working on an international aircraft or shipping vessel; Cleaning at international airport, maritime ports or areas frequently visited by international visitors.
The updated approach to testing also includes testing everyone in managed isolation twice during their stay whether symptomatic or not, and surveillance testing of people working in managed isolation facilities and around the border, based on health monitoring information.
Bay of Plenty residents with symptoms of Covid-19 can go to their doctor (local GP) for assessment and swabbing where needed. All consultations with GPs for suspected Covid-19 cases are free. If you do not have a GP, please phone Healthline on 0800 358 5453 for advice. In addition, Accident and Health Care, 19 Second Avenue, Tauranga (07 577 0010) is open from 8:00am to 9:00pm every day and are also able to do assessments for people with suspected Covid-19, free of charge.
‘Stay vigilant’ is the message from Toi Te Ora Public Health.