What is COVID-19?
COVID-19 is a new illness that can affect your lungs and airways. It’s caused by a virus called coronavirus. There are simple steps you can take to protect you and your family and whānau.
How COVID-19 spreads
COVID-19, like the flu, can be spread from person to person. When a person who has COVID-19 coughs, sneezes or talks they may spread droplets containing the virus a short distance which quickly settle on surrounding surfaces.
You may get infected by the virus if you touch those surfaces or objects and then touch your mouth, nose or eyes.
At risk populations
Some disabled people may be more at risk of COVID-19 infection:
Protecting yourself and others
You should practice good hygiene by:
o before eating or handling food
o after using the toilet
o after coughing, sneezing, blowing your nose or wiping children’s noses
o after caring for sick people.
Be prepared
You and your family and whānau should take your normal extra precautions to avoid any winter illnesses to stop yourself getting sick. It is a good idea to plan for and start those now. This could include:
https://www.newworld.co.nz/shop/online-shopping
If it should become necessary, you might consider extra measures to put distance between yourself and others. For example,
Stay up to date with COVID-19 developments in New Zealand on the Ministry of Health website https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/diseases-and-conditions/covid-19-novel-coronavirus
Self-isolation
If workers have been in or transited through Category 1a or 1b countries or territories, excluding airport transits (health.govt.nz/covid19-countries-areas-concern) or have been in close contact with someone confirmed with COVID-19 in the last 14 days. We ask that you self-isolate for 14 days from the date of departure or close contact.
If you need to self-isolate, you can still receive your essential supports, with the appropriate infection control measures. Infection control measures are to protect you, your staff, and other people.
District health board contact list
Below are contact details for your local District Health Boards:
Northland – Whangarei
(09) 430 4100
Waitematā – North Shore
(09) 486 8900
Auckland
(09) 367 0000
Counties Manukau
(09) 262 9500
Waikato
(07) 839 8899
Bay of Plenty – Tauranga
(07) 579 8000
Tairâwhiti – Gisborne
(06) 869 0500
Hawke’s Bay – Napier/Hastings
(06) 878 8109
Lakes DHB – Taupo/Rotorua
(07) 348 1199
Taranaki – New Plymouth
(06) 753 6139
Whanganui
(06) 348 1234
MidCentral – Palmerston North
(06) 350 8061
Wairarapa – Masterton
(06) 946 9800
Hutt Valley – Upper/Lower Hutt
(04) 566 6999
Capital & Coast – Kapiti Coast/Porirua/Wellington
(04) 385 5999
Nelson Marlborough – Nelson/Blenheim
(03) 546 1800
Canterbury – Christchurch/Kaikoura/Ashburton
(03) 364 0490
South Canterbury – Timaru
(03) 687 2100
West Coast – Greymouth/Hokitika/Westport
(03) 769 7400
Southern
(03) 474 0999
Taking care of your wellbeing
Your emotional and mental health is important. It is normal to feel stressed or lonely when self-isolating, but there are some things you can do to feel better:
If you, or your family member, become sick
Contact Healthline for free on 0800 358 5453, or your GP if you begin to feel sick. The symptoms of COVID-19 are cough, fever, and shortness of breath.
More information
Call Healthline 24/7 on 0800 358 5453 if you need to speak to someone.
Visit https://covid19.govt.nz/ for more information.
If you have concerns about your health, speak to your doctor.