The Omicron variant of Covid-19 often causes a milder illness, especially if you are fully vaccinated & have had your booster vaccine. But, Omicron is more infectious and spreads faster to others. Because of this, we are expecting higher case numbers in our community, and some of these people will be significantly unwell. Most people who get COVID-19 will have a mild to moderate illness and will fully recover in their own home. For those who need help, the healthcare system will be available. Spread is reduced if you wear a well-fitted medical mask, wash your hands, and have good ventilation (open windows or gather outdoors).

The most common Omicron symptoms are runny nose, sore throat, sneezing, headache and fatigue. Omicron symptoms usually take 2-3 days to show (the incubation period), however up to 25% of people will be asymptomatic and not have any symptoms at all (especially if fully vaccinated). If you have any symptoms of Covid-19, you should get a test straight away. These symptoms might include any of the following: • Sore throat • Runny nose, sneezing • Fever or sweats • Cough • Loss of smell or taste • Feeling tired or unwell • Feeling short of breath • Headache • Body aches Sometimes there are different symptoms, such as diarrhoea (runny poos), rash, or red eyes. Sometimes there are no symptoms.

Omicron spreads fast — everyone in your house may catch the virus. Being ready for getting COVID-19 is about making sure you and your household have a plan and know what to do. It will mean your whānau and community can help each other if needed. Here is what you can do now: • If you are eligible to have your COVID-19 vaccine booster shot, please make a booking here.(https://bookmyvaccine.covid19.health.nz/) • 5–11-year-olds are now able to receive the paediatric Pfizer vaccine. • Continue to follow good hygiene practices wherever you go: Mask, Scan and Pass. • Prepare a kit for your home and make a plan for what will happen if you or someone in your household becomes a positive COVID-19 case. Think about who might care for tamariki/children, dependent adults, and pets if you are too unwell to look after them. Prepare and stay safe. Think about what you might need at home: - 2 week supply of food (including pet food). Think about food & drinks that will keep you hydrated and healthy if you are sick. - 2 weeks of prescription medicines - a supply of medicines for pain/ fever, such as paracetamol & ibuprofen, which can be purchased from the supermarket or pharmacy. - other cold & flu remedies you might like, such as throat lozenges, manuka honey… Other helpful Covid-19 website links:Be prepared for Covid-19(https://covid19.govt.nz/prepare-and-stay-safe/be-prepared-for-covid-19/) Covid-19 Readiness Checklist(https://covid19.govt.nz/assets/resources/posters/COVID-19-Readiness-Checklist.pdf)

Rapid Antigen Tests (R.A.Ts) are now the main form of testing to be used in New Zealand. This provides a result within 20 minutes. Where to get a R.A.T from Online- you can order tests online at: Request a RAT | Ministry of Health NZ(https://requestrats.covid19.health.nz/) Unsupervised tests- You can collect these from your local pharmacy. The list of available locations can be found at: Waikato DHB Testing Locations (https://www.healthpoint.co.nz/community-health-services/community-health/waikato-dhb-covid-19-community-testing-centres/) Supervised test- If you are unwell or need help doing a R.A.T test phone our Clinic on 07 839 5004. There may be a fee.

You can find clear step by step instructions for collecting your sample, testing your sample and reading your results here: How to Use a RAT test (https://www.health.govt.nz/system/files/documents/publications/ctc_handout.pdf) Most rapid antigen testing kits follow these principles, but some may differ slightly. Please follow the manufacturer's instructions in your Rapid Antigen Test kit if it is different.

What happens if your RAT result is positive for COVID-19? Self-isolate You’ve already prepared for it, now kick your isolation plan into action and stay home. Find information here on How to Self-Isolate (https://covid19.govt.nz/isolation-and-care/how-to-self-isolate/)and get Advice for your Household Contacts.(https://covid19.health.nz/advice/household) Record your positive result If you did the test yourself and the RAT is positive, you need to report your result on www.MyCovidRecord.nz (http://www.mycovidrecord.nz/?fbclid=IwAR30tcYMqauP0rmKM4AZ8buZsdh7buQXHSUn-FJDFVj4MkCy32rQrzr78Ko)or call 0800 222 478 and press option 3. If you got a supervised RAT at a Community Testing Centre or another health provider, the result should be automatically entered for you and will turn up on your My Covid Record. Once your positive test result is recorded you will get sent a link to a contact tracing form with a unique code. It may take up to 24 hours to receive your code. Please make sure you fill in this form as it will help The Ministry of Health identify if you need any additional health and welfare support. It will also help for contact tracing purposes. If you don’t have access to a mobile phone or internet, a health provider will be in touch to help collect these details. If you have a positive result from a PCR test, you will get a text from the official 2328 number. Look after yourself Most people will have mild to moderate symptoms and will be able to self-care at home. Care and support will continue to be there for people who need it. Some people will receive additional health and wellbeing checks depending on their needs. As always, Healthline is available free and 24/7 on 0800 358 5453. It is important to track your symptoms every day in case you become more unwell and need urgent medical care. There's more information about managing symptoms here (https://www.health.govt.nz/covid-19-novel-coronavirus/covid-19-health-advice-public/advice-people-covid-19/covid-19-infection-and-care#managing) Get help if you need it Wellbeing and financial help is available find out more here. (https://covid19.govt.nz/isolation-and-care/financial-support/) Check that you’re ok to leave self-isolation After seven days, and if you are free of COVID-19 symptoms, you will be able to leave self-isolation (on Day 8). You do not need to repeat your RAT test. Others in your household only need to isolate if they test positive, but are required to test daily for 5 days. Find out more here (https://covid19.health.nz/advice/household-contact) Find out more about testing positive for COVID-19 here.(https://covid19.health.nz/advice/i-have-covid-19)

It's important to remember that the Omicron variant of Covid-19 does not cause serious illness in most people. If you are younger, healthy, and vaccinated for Covid19, you may have a minor cold / flu-like illness, or no symptoms at all. In this case, you may be able to manage your illness easily at home. However, for some of our patients, Covid19 could be more serious. Our aim at Little London Medical Clinic is to keep everyone safe while also ensuring that we have the capacity to care for our most vulnerable patients. If you test positive to COVID-19 • Step 1 - If you use a R.A.T test make sure you load your positive result onto www.MyCovidRecord.nz (http://www.mycovidrecord.nz/?fbclid=IwAR30tcYMqauP0rmKM4AZ8buZsdh7buQXHSUn-FJDFVj4MkCy32rQrzr78Ko)or call 0800 222 478 and press option 3. You will get a text message (or a phone call) saying that you are Covid-19 positive. • Step 2 - You will be assessed to see if you are “higher risk” for serious illness. This assessment might be via a phone call (from LLMC staff or elsewhere), OR you might be asked to complete an online assessment yourself. • Step 3 - If you are at a higher risk and eligible for anti-viral medication, you will then be contacted by medical staff to arrange ongoing follow-up. - If you are at a lower risk, you can manage your own symptoms at home. If you haven’t been contacted and are feeling more unwell or concerned If you are feeling more unwell or concerned and you haven’t been contacted see the "When to get Help & Who to Contact" question below. While you are positive with COVID-19 • Isolate at home. If possible, keep away from other family members, and wear a mask. • You should not leave your home or have visitors to your home. Ask for help if you are having difficulty getting food or other essential supplies. • Follow the advice given to you by your health care team. • Use your usual cold & flu remedies, and all take your regular medications unless you have been told otherwise. • Drink plenty of fluids. It is important not to get dehydrated. If you have an upset tummy (vomiting or diarrhoea) you can drink a rehydration solution. • Look after your mental as well as your physical health. Here are some helpful links: How to Quarantine at Home Covid-19 Care Package(https://www.healthnavigator.org.nz/health-a-z/c/covid-19-positive-how-to-quarantine-at-home/) • If you are feeling more unwell see the "When to get Help & Who to Contact" question below. • See the "What to expect" Timeline question below.

Days 1–3 Early symptoms of COVID-19 vary widely. Omicron symptoms may be different to earlier Covid19 variants. • It can start with a tickly or sore throat, a runny nose, and sneezing. You may feel tired or have a headache, or fever. • You might have a cough, or lose your sense of taste/ smell. • Sometimes it begins with a bout of diarrhoea (runny poo). • You may experience some or none of these symptoms. Even if you have a mild COVID-19 infection, avoid running, workouts, weights and high impact activities until you’ve been cleared by your healthcare team. Days 4–6 These are important days to be more aware of your symptoms. This is when lung (respiratory) symptoms may start to get worse, especially for older people and people who have other conditions like asthma, obesity or diabetes, • You may start to feel worse and may have aches, chills, cough and an inability to get comfortable. • Some younger people may develop rashes, including itchy red patches, swelling or blistering on your toes or fingers. Days 7–8 • For people with mild illness, the worst is generally over after a week. • Some people may get worse at this point, or start to feel better briefly then take a turn for the worse. • If you start to feel worse, please phone us on 07 839 5004. Days 8–12 (week 2) Continue to monitor your symptoms and record them in your diary. • You may feel better sleeping on your front/stomach or side. • If you start to feel worse, contact your healthcare team. Days 13–14 • Most people will feel better by now. Some people feel more tired than usual. • A slow return to activity is advised. • If you have ongoing severe symptoms, your healthcare team will advise you what to do. This is why recording your symptoms is important.

Paxlovid is used to treat people who have moderate COVID-19 infection. There are a couple of other kinds of anti-viral medication, too. Anti-virals like Paxlovid are only useful when given within 5 days of the start of your COVID-19 illness. For more information on anti-virals and who can access this visit Paxlovid | Health Navigator NZ(https://www.healthnavigator.org.nz/paxlovid/)

Whatever your situation, there is help available when you need it. WHEN TO GET HELP Call your healthcare team if: • you have new or worse trouble breathing • your symptoms are getting worse • you start getting better and then get worse • you have symptoms of severe dehydration such as: • having a very dry mouth • passing only a little urine (pee) • feeling very light-headed. WHO TO CONTACT For General Information Use the reliable website listed at the top of this page. 24 hour Covid Advice Your Covid Healthline is available 24hours for advice on 0800 358 5453 For urgent welfare needs if you are isolating with Covid19 If you need support for non-medical needs such as food or housing, contact MSD on 0800 512 337 Or visit Here to help ü (heretohelpu.nz)(https://www.heretohelpu.nz/) Your Healthcare Team at Little London Medical Clinic (a fee may apply) • Non-urgent queries may be sent via Manage My Health email, or you can book a non-urgent appointment here. Make an appointment(javascript:void(0)) • For urgent concerns please phone the clinic on 07 839 5004 during office hours, 9 am to 5 pm. After Hours: (a fee may apply) • Practice Plus (our After Hours service) Make an appointment(javascript:void(0)) • Emergency Consult 0800111336 (After Hours care for Covid19 positive patients who become more unwell). Call 111 if you: • have severe trouble breathing or severe chest pain • are very confused or not thinking clearly • feel faint or pass out (lose consciousness). Be sure to tell the operator you have Covid-19.

Most children with COVID-19 get mild symptoms or none at all. A small number will become more unwell and need extra care from their doctor, or in hospital. Children with COVID-19 can still get other illnesses. If you are worried about your child you can still get help for them even though you are isolating at home. Use these three steps: • Recognise – know what to look out for to tell if your child is becoming unwell. See COVID-19 – what to expect. • Record – keep track of your child’s symptoms using a diary. • Respond – know when to ask for help and how to get it. Make an appointment with your GP (javascript:void(0))or call the Covid Advice line on 0800 358 5453