Self-isolating | Northland DHB
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Self-isolating

  
- COVID is very infectious

- A person with COVID must isolate at home

- Isolating reduces the spread of COVID and helps keep your community safer
     
On this page 
    

> Where to find advice and support

> Isolating from others

> COVID symptoms and when to seek help

> Managing your COVID symptoms

> Positions to make breathing easier

> Reduce the spread of infection in your home

> What to do if you or your whānau needs healthcare

> What supports are available to help you and your whānau isolate? 

> COVID-19 and your medicines

> How to assess your breathing rate

> Digital tools - using technology to recover from COVID-19 at home

> COVID-19 and your mental health and wellbeing

 

 
Where to find advice and support
   
 

There is support and advice available if you need to self-isolate because you test positive for COVID-19.

Find out what you need to know about self-isolating on the When and How to Self-Isolate section of the Unite Against COVID-19 website.

If you have COVID-19 while you are self-isolating you will have support from local healthcare providers to meet your health, welfare and wellbeing needs.

A 24-hour contact phone number will be available for health support, and you will get a dedicated contact person to check on you and your whānau. Contacts for health support may differ across the country. Your point of contact may be an individual or a team from your general practice, primary care provider or from a local community health service.

If you need medication, contact your doctor or local community pharmacy who can have it safely delivered to your home.
   
 
Isolating from others
    
 

Everyone who tests positive for COVID-19 will need to isolate from the community to help stop the spread of the virus.  

If you’ve been told you’ve got COVID or you think you might have it, it’s really important to isolate at home. This will help stop the virus from spreading.
   
 
COVID-19 symptoms and when to seek medical help
    
 

If you have COVID and you’ve been asked to isolate at home, here’s some information about your symptoms – and when and who to phone.

You’ll be given the number for a healthcare team in case you need them. While you’re isolating you’ll need to keep an eye on your symptoms. You might be asked to take some recordings like your heart rate and oxygen levels. 
   
 
Managing your COVID-19 symptoms
    
 

Most people with COVID-19 develop cold and flu-like symptoms that can last up to two weeks. Continue to take any regular medication. Some people will be prescribed medication to reduce their chance of needing hospital level care.

It is important to track your symptoms every day in case you become more unwell and need urgent medical care.

Most people will recover within two weeks, but others may have persistent symptoms for months.
   
 
Positions to make breathing easier
    
   
 
Reduce the spread of infection in your home
    
 

Aotearoa e te toa! How to reduce the spread of infection in your home

Isolating at home can be a challenge, especially if you live with other people or in smaller spaces. Here’s some ways to stop COVID-19 spreading to your whānau or roommates.
 
  
What to do if you or your whānau needs healthcare
  
     
 

Most people who get COVID have a mild illness and can recover from this at home. Some people become more unwell and need to be seen by a doctor. A few people will become unwell enough to need care in hospital. Things can change quickly so it is important to know how to get care when you need it.

Ways you can access healthcare while in isolation:

  • Contact your GP (family doctor) for advice just like you would with other illnesses. Your GP is the best person to ask if you need help with health problems you had before you got COVID.
  • People in COVID isolation in Northland can see a doctor 24/7 for free at https://www.emergencyconsult.co.nz/
  1. Click “Log In”
  2. Enter email: admin1@emergencyconsult.co.nz     Password: Covid01   

    Note: If that doesn’t work phone 0800 111 336  for assistance with logging in or to arrange a telephone consult.
  • Having COVID can be very worrying and people often want to talk to someone about this. Free counselling is available by texting or calling 1737.
  • If you need to see a doctor in person, please call ahead and let them know you are isolating with COVID-19 so they can prepare and keep themselves and other patients safe.
  • In an emergency, call 111 for an ambulance and tell them you or your family have COVID-19 and are isolating.
  
     
 
What supports are available to help you and your whānau isolate?
  
     
 
  • You can call them 7 days a week from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm for support to isolate.
  • They can help with food, COVID leave payments if you are working, pets and other things your whānau needs.
  • They will link you with local Northland supports including iwi and Māori Health Providers for ongoing Manaaki.
  • If you have any trouble getting the support you need please let the contact tracing team know.
  • Many people are eligible for financial support or COVID leave while they are required to isolate, including people who are self-employed. Visit the Work and Income website for urgent financial support and ongoing needs. You can apply for a main benefit online and check your eligibility for food assistance.
  • You can also use the COVID financial support tool on the Unite Against COVID website to see what support is available to you.
  • For more information on what is available go to the COVID-19 website.
  
     
 
COVID-19 and your medicines - Aotearoa e te toa!
  
     
 

Don’t stop taking your regular medicine without advice

  • Have enough medicine to last a few weeks
  • Take your medicines on time
  • Get your flu shot
  • Talk to your pharmacist or GP about any other medicines or natural remedies you’re taking.
   
 
Caring for your child with COVID-19
 

If your child has COVID-19, it can be a worrying time for you. But most children with COVID-19 will have a mild illness. Watch Emily, one of the doctors at Starship Children's Emergency Department, give advice about common and less common COVID-19 symptoms, how to care for your child with COVID-19 at home, and when to see a doctor. The video is aimed at caregivers of children who have been to the Starship Children's Emergency Department, but it is relevant to caregivers of children throughout Aotearoa.
     
 
How to assess your breathing rate
 

Your breathing may get faster when you have COVID or other health conditions and your healthcare team may want to know what your breathing rate is. 

  • Learn how to measure it.
  • Learn breathing techniques to ease your breathing.
  • Call your healthcare team if your breathing rate is too slow (10 or less), too fast (25 breaths or more per minute) or if you are worried.
   
     
 
Digital tools - using technology to recover from COVID-19 at home
 

Most people with COVID-19, especially if you are fully vaccinated, will be fine to recover at home. Find out about the digital tools you can use to look after yourself and others at this time.
   
 
COVID-19 and your mental health and wellbeing
 
 

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