Primary Care Update Information for general practices, PHOs and DHBs Update Four: August 2020 Māuri ora ki a koutou This is the fourth primary care update for general practice and primary health organisations (PHOs). Thank you for all the work you are doing to keep the primary health care system operating and our communities safe. You can find previous primary care updates on the Ministry of Health website.
COVID-19 response and the move to Alert Level 2 & 3 midday Wednesday 12 August 2020 ______________________________________________________________________________________________
Key messages for Primary Care Our response to the COVID-19 pandemic is rapidly evolving. As at 14 August 2020, the advice is as follows. All patients presenting with symptoms must be tested. Get a test if you have symptoms •
We encourage anyone in Auckland with symptoms consistent with COVID-19 to be tested, whether or not they meet the Higher Index of Suspicion.
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If you live outside of Auckland and you have symptoms, call your doctor or Healthline to find out if you need to get a test for COVID-19. If you’re offered a test, take it.
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The assessment and test for COVID-19 is free. We will support anyone who has COVID-19 and their family, and look after their health and wellbeing.
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If you do not have symptoms, you do not need a test, UNLESS you’ve been advised by health officials, for example if you’re a close contact a confirmed case, or if you work at the border.
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The tests are free and should be easy to access for everyone.
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It’s also important to remember the basic public health measures which keep communities protected: staying home if you’re sick, frequent hand-washing, and good sneeze and cough etiquette.
We encourage you to keep checking the Ministry of Health and COVID-19 websites for new information. 1