This is our main page for COVID-19 information.
The Ministry of Health advice is under active review - please use their website as the source of correct, up to date information at all times.
Our resource section is full of COVID-19 resources, use the COVID-19 filter to find them all or search by keyword.
A reminder that (from 7 March 2024), COVID-19 Comirnaty Omicron XBB.1.5 (30mcg) has been replaced by both the previous vaccines:
To minimise risk, please dispose of these vaccines as per the regulations.
Summary table of COVID-19 Testing Plan and guidance changes from 4 March 2024
This summary table outlines which COVID-19 Testing Plan advice and supporting guidance documents have been removed and where relevant recommended COVID-19 testing advice can be found going forward.
Recommended COVID-19 testing advice
Symptomology |
Target group |
Recommended testing advice |
Symptomatic people (includes symptomatic household contacts AND recovered cases if it is more than 29 days since the previous infection) |
General population
|
If sick stay at home, and test using a COVID-19 RAT if you have one available. If RAT is negative, and COVID-19 symptoms persist, stay at home and repeat RAT in 24 and 48 hours*. |
Those that meet the Pharmac anti-viral access criteria |
If sick stay at home and test using a COVID-19 RAT. If RAT is negative, and COVID-19 symptoms persist, stay at home and repeat RAT in 24 and 48 hours**and consider a PCR test where a result can influence treatment options. |
|
High risk facilities/settings****
|
Test using a RAT. If RAT is negative, and COVID-19 symptoms persist, repeat RAT in 24 and 48 hours**and consider a PCR test where a result can influence treatment options***. (for hospitalised positive PCR cases, refer samples for WGS) |
* If RAT is still negative after 24 and 48 hours and symptoms are getting worse or you are concerned, contact a healthcare provider or phone Healthline. If symptoms have resolved, or are mild or improving, you do not need to stay home.
** If RAT is still negative after 24 and 48 hours, healthcare providers should consider if further testing is required or an alternate diagnosis.
*** If PCR - recommend keeping isolated from other residents/patients whilst awaiting test results.
****High risk settings/facilities include Aged Residential Care and hospitals as these types of settings/facilities include groups of people who have frequent, close, or extended contact with others who have the potential for greater exposure to SARS-CoV-2.
To find out more about COVID-19 symptoms, testing, isolation, vaccines, antiviral medicine, masks and long covid, please visit COVID-19 | Health Information and Services.
The free supply of RATs is continuing until June 2024. Ordering and collection is through your local collection site, found on the Healthpoint website. If you have expired RATs, you can dispose these in the general rubbish, and cardboard in recycling. If you have large quantities, you may wish to contact your local waste management provider.
RATs will remain free until 30 June 2024. People can continue to pick up free RATs for themselves and household members from participating pharmacies and RAT collection centres.
You can view and download Unite Against COVID-19 branded assets and resources through the COVID-19 Resource Toolkit.
Jan Adams, General Manager MHN / Nursing Director
jan.adams@pinnacle.health.nz
021 904 460
Jo Scott-Jones, Clinical Director
drjo@pinnacle.health.nz
027 475 0488
This page includes information relevant to all localities, specific locality information linked additional resources.
During the COVID-19 lockdown virtual consultations for POAC cases were funded. We are pleased to announce that this will be a permanent change.
Read moreTe Whatu Ora Waikato has noted the wording in their recent newsletter about the new BPAC disease notification eReferral, requires clarification. At this time COVID-19 remains a notifiable disease, but that notification does not need to come via GP practices using the BPAC form as it is generated via result uploading.
Read moreThis funding is available for a GP/NP consultation with patients eligible for an advance prescription for COVID-19 anti-viral medication, prior to them testing positive for COVID-19. There is no obligation for a clinician to issue an advance prescription.
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