Western Bay of Plenty Primary Health Organisation Covid-19 Update - 15th Feb 2021 Good afternoon Practice Managers, PHO acknowledges the pressure that comes to bear on general practice with a new confirmed case in the community and what a great job practices do in this everchanging COVID environment. Please reach out to your GP Liaison, myself or Phil Back if you are unable to cope with any increased demand.
What are the Implications for General Practice of the return to COVID Level 2: See Information here https://covid19.govt.nz/alert-system/alert-level-2/
Quick Reminder Summary: • Screen for respiratory illness and assess in dedicated areas/car • No changes to PPE recommendations at this stage • Consider phone /video consults • Minimise appointments to <15 minutes where possible • 2m distancing where possible (between patients / staff and patients) • 1m distancing between staff • Sanitiser for everyone on entry and regular wipe down of ‘high traffic’ areas • All visitors to the practice should scan in (patients with booked appointments are tracked through the appointment schedule but anyone accompanying them should scan/sign in) Maximum gatherings of 100. **Planned proactive care can still occur at Level 2 – (smears, immunisations etc)
Level 2 Risk Assessment for PPE:
Guide the PPE precautions https://www.health.govt.nz/system/files/documents/pages/alert-level-2ppe-guidelines-unknown-covid-status-22sept2020.pdf Practices are reporting that concerned asymptomatic patients who have visited Auckland recently are calling wanting to be tested – suggested advice is below:
Handling Queries from patients: •
Anyone who is symptomatic should be encouraged to have a swab irrespective of recent travel/ contacts.
Asymptomatic patients: •
Who have been to locations of interest on the specified days/times: - need to check against the MOH list for further instructions (more information on advice for those patients later in this document)
•
Who have visited Auckland or New Plymouth recently but NOT visited a location of interest or been contacted by Public Health: - DO NOT NEED TO BE TESTED
It is important that those who DO NOT need testing are reassured and encouraged not to attend the practice to reduce additional pressure on resources. Please see updated Medical Certificate (15 Feb 21) incorporating the current advice to be used in these scenarios.
Western Bay of Plenty Primary Health Organisation Covid-19 Update - 15th Feb 2021 List of Locations of Interest: The locations of Interest date range is: 6 Feb (Waitangi Weekend) to 13 February Refer to this website: COVID-19: Contact tracing locations of interest | Ministry of Health NZ for guidelines on how to advise patients on what they need to do if they have been to any of these locations. Persons who attended any of the indoor locations listed, during the relevant timeframes, are considered to be a COVID-19 ‘casual plus contact.’ Symptomatic: Should be tested immediately Asymptomatic: Stay at home, call Healthline on 0800 358 5453 for advice and get a tested 5-days post contact. • You will need to continue to stay at home until you receive a negative test result back. • If you begin to feel unwell or start to develop COVID-19 symptoms get a test immediately. • If you receive a negative test, you need to continue monitoring your symptoms for the next
14 days. If you develop any COVID-19 symptoms you will need to organise another test. • Ensure you wash your hands regularly with soap and water, or with hand sanitiser. • Practice good hygiene and use the NZ COVID Tracer App
Persons who attended any of the outdoor locations listed, during the relevant timeframes, are considered to be a COVID-19 ‘casual contact.’ • •
Monitor your health for the next 14 days. Not required to stay at home. If you begin to feel unwell or develop any COVID-19 symptoms, contact Healthline on 0800 358 5453, to understand if and when they need to be tested.
Current Case Definition and Guideline for Testing:
Case definition and clinical testing guidelines for COVID-19 | Ministry of Health NZ
PHO Reference Flowchart of Scenarios for Symptomatic and Asymptomatic Claiming:
http://portal.wboppho.org.nz/images/documents/Potential_Scenarios_for_COVID_Testing_(19th_N ov).pdf Nāku iti noa, nā Debbie Debbie Baillie General Practice Liaison Team Lead
PO Box 13225 Tauranga P: (07) 571-7167 M: (021) 262- 5702 E: debbieb@wboppho.org.nz