"This is essential for letting your GP and the Covid Hub know you have Covid so you can quickly access medical and welfare support if you need it."
Dr Jackson says this is important for people who are at high risk of getting severe Covid-19.
"They may be eligible for medicines they can take at home that can reduce the severity of illness and help them to avoid being admitted to hospital."
She says with a month left of winter we can still expect to see Covid-19 cases and other respiratory illnesses in circulation.
"Recent modelling suggests that from August Covid-19 cases may remain high, and could be above 200 a day until September. This is just one scenario that could happen - again, testing and reporting Covid-19 results helps us better understand how we are tracking and what may come next."
She says part of the reason for the increase in Covid-19 cases is because of the BA.5 variant in circulation, which is more transmissible than previous variants.
"The winter season and conditions also make it easier for many respiratory illnesses to spread."
Dr Jackson says the most important thing everyone in the community can do is keep up with healthy habits.
"The more layers of protection we put in place - particularly vaccinations, but also mask-wearing, washing your hands, social distancing and staying home from work and school if you're māuiui (sick) - the more we can reduce the spread of respiratory illnesses."
She says anyone who needs the flu or Covid-19 vaccination should visit their pharmacy, Māori health provider, drop into the New Plymouth and Hāwera vaccination centres, or one of the many Winter Wellness Clinics happening every week in communities throughout Taranaki.
Visit www.tdhb.org.nz/covid19/vaccine.shtml to find your nearest drop-in vaccination clinic location. Rapid antigen test results can be recorded online through My Covid Record or by calling the helpline, 0800 222 478.
