COVID-19 updates
Always use The Ministry of Health website as the source of correct and up to date information
Updated guidance on COVID-19 testing for the health sector and latest advice for testing in Auckland14/11/2020
Kia ora koutou, Recent community cases in Auckland and Wellington, and those among border and MIQ workers, have highlighted the importance of continued vigilance in our border settings. In all these cases, ESR genome sequencing has directly linked the source of transmission to the border. continued...
Testing advice for Auckland and the rest of New Zealand Following the recent cases in the community, anyone with cold or flu symptoms in Auckland – and the rest of New Zealand – should get a test and stay at home until they have a negative test result. We are also asking anyone who was in Auckland CDB at locations of interest related to the Auckland cases, between 3 November and 12 November inclusive, to get a test, regardless of symptoms. Further information on the locations of interest and a full list of testing sites is available on the Auckland Regional Public Health Service website. This is an enhanced surveillance tactic to ensure we are not missing any cases who may be asymptomatic. General advice for 16-29 November For the next fortnight, we’ll continue to focus testing people at highest risk of exposure and we also ask that you continue to focus on symptomatic people and reducing barriers to access, for Māori and Pacific communities in particular. Testing rates for Māori (as measured by test numbers per 1,000 population) remain below non-Māori in most areas. Anyone with symptoms consistent with COVID-19 should be tested as a priority, and anyone hospitalised with a severe acute respiratory infection should be tested for SARS-CoV-2, irrespective of region. As always, the assessment and testing for COVID-19 is at no cost to individuals. Thank you again for the important part you play in supporting the health and well-being of New Zealanders. We appreciate your continued partnership in our response. Click here for the Primary care quick reference guide - 13th November Click here for the Guidance Primary Care Essential Groups Testing - 13th November Dr Ashley Bloomfield Director-General of Health Testing Strategy l COVID-19 Health System Response l Ministry of Health COVID-19 Message from the Director-General of Health – Dr Ashley Bloomfield: 11th November 202011/11/2020
COVID-19 Message from the Director-General of Health – Dr Ashley Bloomfield - 30th October 202030/10/2020
Kia ora koutou, Here at the Ministry, we are constantly reviewing what we’ve learned from each outbreak or cluster to help us prepare for any future incursions of the virus. We have a huge work programme around COVID-19. This includes delivering a sustainable surveillance and testing strategy for New Zealand, working with DHBs to support a dedicated workforce for managed isolation and quarantine facilities, addressing psychosocial issues, rapid ongoing review of policy settings, and preparing to deliver a vaccine when a safe and effective option arrives. I greatly appreciate the feedback we get about what’s happening on the ground around the motu, including key issues and concerns, as well as new ideas and approaches. Please keep them coming! Thank you for your insights, your mahi and support as we help New Zealand respond to COVID-19. Ngā mihi nui Dr Ashley Bloomfield Director-General of Health Click here to read the full update from the Ministry of Health Message from the Director-General of Health – Dr Ashley Bloomfield - Update 23rd October 202023/10/2020
Mobile community COVID-19 testing Priority testing for hospitality workers Asymptomatic testing is being offered to hospitality workers who may have been in contact with travellers. This includes café staff, restaurant and hotel staff, tourism workers, cleaning staff, as well as taxi, bus and uber drivers. Staff who have a test when they are asymptomatic and have not had close contact with a confirmed COVID-19 do not have to isolate or stay off work while awaiting results. They are walk up testing sites. We have mobile community COVID-19 testing operating in the following locations: Taumarunui: Monday 19 October from 10am – 3pm Taumarunui War Memorial Hall, 153 Hakiaha St, Taumarunui. Raglan: Tuesday 20 October from 10am – 3pm Raglan Club carpark, 22 Bow Street, Raglan For the most up to date information on COVID-19 please refer to the Ministry of Health Website Click here for the 30th September Media release Click here for a letter to GP's regarding PPE supply Click here for Guidelines for the provision of PPE from the central supply |
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