COVID-19
Based on the latest advice from the Ministry of Health, our advice to you is as follows:
If you have the symptoms and have recently been to a country or area of concern, or have been in close contact with someone confirmed with COVID-19, please call Healthline's COVID-19 line, with translators and interpreters available 24/7 in 150 languages:
If you intend to visit your GP or after-hours medical centre, phone ahead to let them know.
More health advice and virus prevention information is available on the Ministry of Health website:
COVID-19 health advice for the public – Ministry of Health
Novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) – Ministry of Education
http://education.govt.nz/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov-3/
Novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) guidance – Ministry of Health
https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/diseases-and-conditions/covid-19-novel-coronavirus
The best defence against exposure to the illness is offered on the Ministry of Health website. This centres around regular hand washing, avoiding close contact with those who may be ill, covering the mouth while coughing or sneezing and carefully monitoring for symptoms.
As always anyone who is unwell should not be at school if you have a particular concern about your child, contact Healthline at 0800 611 116 or your GP for medical advice.
Symptoms
Symptoms of COVID-19 are similar to a range of other illnesses such as influenza. Having any of these symptoms does not necessarily mean that you have COVID-19.
Less common symptoms of COVID-19 may include diarrhoea, headache, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting, malaise, chest pain, abdominal pain, joint pain or confusion/irritability. These almost always occur with one or more of the common symptoms.
Symptoms tend to arise around two to five days after a person has been infected but can take up to 14 days to show. The virus can be passed onto others before they know they have it – from up to two days before symptoms develop.
Preventing the risk
You can take some simple steps to help stop the spread of diseases like COVID-19:
Avoid close contact with people with cold or flu-like illnesses.
Cover coughs and sneezes with disposable tissues or clothing.
Wash hands for at least 20 seconds with water and soap and dry them thoroughly:
Go to the Ministry of Health website for more information about preventing the risk: COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) guidance – Ministry of Health
To protect yourself and others it’s important to:
Read more about how to protect yourself and others and visit the Unite Against COVID-19 website
What to do if you're concerned
If you have the symptoms and have recently been to a country or area of concern, or have been in close contact with someone confirmed with COVID-19, please call Healthline's COVID-19 line, with translators and interpreters available 24/7 in 150 languages:
If you intend to visit your GP or after-hours medical centre, phone ahead to let them know.
More health advice and virus prevention information is available on the Ministry of Health website: COVID-19 health advice for the public – Ministry of Health
High-risk individuals
People with underlying health conditions are most at risk of COVID-19 becoming a severe illness. You are more vulnerable if you:
Other risk factors include ethnicity, smoking and obesity.
Further information is available at:
https://covid19.govt.nz/help-and-advice/for-everyone/vulnerable-people/
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