COVID-19 updates
Always use The Ministry of Health website as the source of correct and up to date information
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In some situations, health and disability, education and corrections workers may be able to get an exemption from being vaccinated against COVID-19. However, there are very few situations where a vaccine is contraindicated and, as such, a medical exemption is expected to be rarely required. Exemptions should be limited to situations where a suitable alternative COVID-19 vaccine is not readily available for the individual. Exemptions should be for a specified time, reflecting, for example, recovery from clinical conditions or the availability of alternate vaccines. It is likely that most people who are not medically exempt can be safely vaccinated, with some requiring extra precautions. Click here for more information Waikato will move to Alert Level 3, Step 2 on Tuesday 2 November at 11:59pm, meaning outdoor gatherings can increase to 25 and public facilities, such as libraries and zoos, and retail can open with mask-wearing, contact tracing and physical distancing. High vaccination rates mean we can move forward with confidence, but public health measures remain extremely important as we ease restrictions. Cabinet has agreed in-principle to a shift down for Auckland to these same settings next Tuesday 9 November at 11:59pm. Vaccination rates are climbing steadily, with fewer than 5000 doses to go before 90 percent of people have had their first dose. Click here to read the full update Covid is already in our community and we know that general practice is going to play a huge part in the management of this disease. We realise that there is a lot of anxiety about how we will do this. I can assure you that there is a huge amount of work being done by your PHOs, your DHB and nationally. Please find attached 2 documents that will aid you in your management of Covid. The first is how to risk stratify your patients and then how to manage them. It gives advice on which should be monitored with a pulse oximeter and then further management advice. The second is a document for patients. I would advise handing it out with pulse oximeters, but would be beneficial for all patients to help reassure them that we are here to look after them. We hope this will reassure you that we can do this and thank you all for your ongoing mahi and dedication in the most extraordinary of times. Covid booklet Covid home monitoring in mild to moderate cases
Click here for the full update from the Ministry of Health You can now travel from Alert Level 3 to Alert Level 2 for relocating permanently, shared caregiving arrangements, or returning home. From 11:59pm tonight additional reasons for permitted travel will be introduced for movement across the Auckland boundary. Click here to read the full update Latest COVID-19 health key messages Approved messages for use in your communications Consistent messaging helps us to coordinate our efforts to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. This document provides approved key messages from the Ministry of Health. 22 September 2021 Click here to read the full update Kia ora, Exemption Cessation P2/N95’s in Alert level 2 This email is to confirm that effective 11:59pm today (14 September 2021), the Ministry of Health will remove the exemptions put in place for use of N95/P2 use by Pharmacy and General Practice outside of the Auckland region. From 15 September 2021, N95/P2’s will only be supplied to those Pharmacy and General Practice outside of the Auckland region undertaking swabbing, who have provided the Ministry of Health with a fit test declaration. continued...
Use of P2/N95 Particulate Respirators: COVID-19 Vaccine Please also note that as per the COVID-19 Vaccine Operating Guidelines (pg. 76) for Infection Prevention and Control requirements – specifically mask wearing across Alert settings – does not require the use of an N95/P2 particulate respirator. The Ministry of Health’s centralised supply of PPE will not provide N95/P2 particulate respirators for use in Vaccine Centres. DHBs are further asked to not provide N95/P2 respirators from their supply to Vaccine Centres. The supply of N95/P2 particulate respirators is specifically selected for use across a range of sectors. We ask that all Vaccine Centres as per the request in the Vaccine Operating Guidelines (pg. 46), contact the COVID-19 Health Supply Chain team to access PPE through HealthCare Logistics or Onelink. Please note that there are no exceptions unless approved on an individual case by case basis by the Ministry of Health directly. The Principles of Supply clearly articulate PPE across Alert Levels and settings. If you are unsure in the first instance, please refer to Covid-19: Personal Protective Equipment Central Supply. Ngā mihi, COVID-19 Health Supply Chain From 11:59pm on Tuesday 7 September all regions south and north of Auckland are at Alert Level 2. Auckland remains at Alert Level 4. Alert Level boundaries remain in place around Auckland. Travel into, out of, through or within different Alert Levels is highly restricted. That is to minimise spread of the virus. Do not travel unless it is absolutely necessary. Attempting to cross a boundary without permission is an offence. Click here for more information on: Work-related travel, Health care worker, Exemptions for personal travel across or within an Alert Level boundary |
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