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Care in the community and having a plan

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Care for people with COVID-19 in the community

Isolation and care in the Community

COVID-19 is still circulating in our community  - make a plan if your family have to self-isolate. Protect yourself and others from COVID-19 by following the latest health advice and not sharing unreliable information. 

Download the whānau planning booklet:

More information here on COVID-19: Self-isolation, managed isolation/quarantine.

The Health Navigator website has a lot of information about COVID-19 and looking after yourself at home.

Testing positive for COVID-19 – Ki te pāngia koe e te KOWHEORI-19
Most people who get COVID-19 will have mild to moderate symptoms, similar to other common viruses.
The majority of people will be able to manage their symptoms at home while isolating with some rest, fluids and paracetamol. Use simple remedies like lemon and honey drinks.
You don’t need to call your GP to let them know you have had a positive test for COVID-19.
 
Monitor your symptoms:
If you start to feel worse or have general COVID questions.

- Call the COVID Healthline on 0800 358 5453 free to call, 24 hours a day.
If your other medical conditions are worrying you and you need a clinical appointment
- Call your GP/primary care team and let them know you are isolating with COVID-19. You will not have to pay for any COVID-19 related medical costs.

In an emergency call 111
If you or a family member become very unwell or has difficulty breathing, severe chest pain or discomfort, fainting or become unconscious, call 111 immediately. Let them know you are isolating with COVID-19. There is no cost to call an ambulance when you have COVID-19.
 
Local welfare and manaaki support is available through our Waikato DHB COVID-19 Integrated Coordination Centre on 0800 220 250, seven days a week from 8am - 8pm. Our team will guide you through the next steps.
Also you can ask for welfare and manaaki support at Here to help u www.heretohelpu.nz
 
COVID-19 Health Hub
For online support information if you test positive or are exposed to COVID-19 visit the COVID-19 Health Hub covid19.health.nz/advice
 
Read more about what happens if you test positive for COVID-19?

Be COVID-Ready - practical things you can do now

Now that the highly infectious Omicron COVID – 19 variant has reached Aotearoa New Zealand, there are many positive cases in our community. Being ready for getting COVID-19 is about making sure you and your household have a plan and know what to do. This means your whānau and community can help each other if needed.

Omicron is circulating in our community - this means wearing a mask in indoor settings with people you don’t know, physical distancing and scanning in using the COVID-19 Tracer app, when you’re out and about.  

If any cold or flu symptoms develop, please get a test and isolate at home for a minimum of 10 days.

The most common early symptoms of the Omicron variant are a sore or scratchy throat, and a runny nose. So if you have these symptoms, please get a test. 

There are things you can do to prepare yourself and your whānau should Omicron arrive in the community.
 
Being ready is about having conversations, making connections and knowing what to do.
If you test positive, you will need to isolate for at least 10 days while you recover. Everyone else who lives with you (on a permanent or part-time basis) is considered a household contact and they will need to self-isolate and get tested
 
- Make a plan if your family have to self-isolate. Protect yourself and others from COVID-19 by following the latest health advice and not sharing unreliable information. Download a suggested plan here: covid19.govt.nz/be-prepared

Care in the Community is a national framework developed by the Ministry of Health in consultation with the health and disability and welfare sectors. The framework sets expectations and provides central guidance to ensure people with COVID-19 receive the health, welfare and wellbeing support they need.

-  https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/diseases-and-conditions/covid-19-novel-coronavirus/covid-19-information-health-professionals/caring-people-covid-19-community

For more information about Care in the Community, see the Unite Against COVID-19 website