COVID Update 17 Aug 2020

Aug 17, 2020

COVID PĀNUI:

Get a test if you have symptoms

  • If you have symptoms, call your doctor or Healthline 0800 611 116, to find out if you need to get a test for COVID-19. If you’re offered a test, take it.
  • The assessment and test for COVID-19 is free. We will support anyone who has COVID-19 and their family/whānau and look after their health and wellbeing.
  • 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.
  • The tests are free and should be easy to access for everyone.
  • At our clinics, we are now triaging/checking all patients prior to appointments and entry into the clinics. Triaging means we have to stop all patients at outside of the clinic and ask COVID related questions. This takes time and might be frustrating for you BUT please, do not be abusive to our staff. They are doing their very best to help you.  Be kind, be patient and we can all be safe.

Protecting yourself and your whānau

Basic hygiene measures include: good hand hygiene, cough and sneeze behaviour, avoid touching your face, and clean surfaces.

  • Wash your hands with soap and water often (for at least 20 seconds) and dry thoroughly. Use an alcohol-based sanitiser and rub hands together if soap and water is unavailable.
  • Cough or sneeze into your elbow or cover your mouth and nose with tissues. Put them in a bin immediately.
  • Avoid touching your face, including your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean. Surfaces may have infectious droplets.
  • Clean surfaces regularly. This includes items frequently touch like door handles and phones.

 

Your medicines

  • There is no need to stock-pile on medicines. Community pharmacies stay open to the public through all COVID-19 levels and will be available in your communities to support you with your medicine supply and information needs.
  • If you don’t need your prescription straight away, arrange for the prescription to be sent through to the pharmacy of your choice and then make contact with that pharmacy to arrange a convenient time to pick up your medicine or have it delivered. This will ensure the pharmacy team can be available to spend time with you and minimises numbers in pharmacies at any one time to support physical distancing.
  • As you would in your local supermarket, please be kind to those people in your local pharmacy – they are there to support you.

We are here to support you and your whānau.  Be Safe, Be Kind