As a reminder, a positive rapid antigen test (RAT) is used to confirm that a person has Covid-19. It is not a test to confirm that a person no longer has Covid-19.
A negative RAT test does not allow you to leave home isolation early if you have previously tested positive as you are likely to still be infectious. Equally, you do not need a negative test result to leave isolation as some people can test positive for many weeks following their infectious period.
Support is available for those isolating at home. Work and Income may be able to help to pay for urgent and essential costs like food, medicine and some bills. Anyone can request help - you do not need to be on a benefit. For more information visit: https://bit.ly/WIHelp
Owing to reporting cut-offs, people recovering and cases being reassigned, the active case number may not always match the reporting from the Ministry of Health.
The number of cases also does not reflect any undetected cases in the community, or those who are being cared for by a different DHB but are isolating in our rohe.
■ Community Collection Sites
Pre-ordered RAT tests for those who are symptomatic, household contacts, or critical workers are available today across the rohe.
For a full list of Covid-19 community collection sites near you, visit HealthPoint https://bit.ly/CommunityCollectionSites or call the Covid-19 Healthline on 0800 358 5453.
To pre-order a RATs test please visit https://bit.ly/RequestRATs.
■ Community Testing Sites
Covid-19 tests are available for people with Covid-19 symptoms and household contacts across the rohe. For the full list see here: https://bit.ly/MDHBTest.
■ Novavax now available
The Novavax Covid-19 vaccine (Nuvaxovid) is now available for adults aged 18 and above who wish to have a different Covid-19 vaccine option.
Novavax is the first protein-based Covid-19 vaccine to be approved for use in New Zealand and helps prevent you from getting infected and having Covid-19 symptoms, or severe illness.
Novavax requires two doses to be considered fully vaccinated. A three-week gap is recommended between the first and second dose.
Novavax is not approved as a booster vaccine at this time and you will require a prescription from your primary care provider for your second dose if your first dose was not Novavax.
Book online through www.bookmyvaccine.covid19.health.nz/
If you select Novavax, the site will show a list of vaccination centres where Novavax can be given. You can also book an appointment by calling 0800 28 29 26.
For more information on Novavax, please visit the Ministry of Health website here https://bit.ly/GettingNovavax.
