COVID-19 care in the community

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.

What does that mean?

IT MEANS YOU MEASURE THEM AND WRITE THEM DOWN. Even if you’re feeling ok.

These are the things you’ll need to check and write down.

Taking your temperature IF YOU HAVE A THERMOMETER – not everyone gets a fever

but it’s worth knowing how to do it.

You may need to measure your blood oxygen levels and heart rate using a pulseoximeter.

YOU SHOULD RECORD HOW YOU’RE FEELING AT DIFFERENT TIMES OF THE DAY……better? … or worse?

How your breathing is GOING

And any new symptoms you have.

Knowing WHEN and WHO to call for help is really important.

CALL 111 IF:

• you have a sudden change in breathing or bad chest pain (clutching chest)
• you’re confused or not thinking clearly. (person looking confused or a bit bewildered)
• you’re feeling faint or pass out (someone faints)

CALL THE HEALTHCARE TEAM IF:

• you have new or worse trouble breathing (new visuals for each symptom)
• your symptoms are getting worse (clutching head or tummy)
• you start feeling better, but then get worse (sitting on side of bed, feeling unwell)
• you have a VERY dry mouth, aren’t peeing much or are feeling light-headed (CU face) Remember, if in doubt – give them a shout!

Kia Ora team – time out!

With most of us vaccinated the rules have changed.

We now have ‘The COVID Protection Framework’ with three settings:

Red, Orange and Green, better known as the Traffic Lights.

And it’s pretty easy for each of us to play our part.

First, with ‘My Vaccine Pass’, proof you are fully vaccinated, you’re ready to go.

Vaccine passes give you access to the everyday things you love.

Note that everyone still has access to basic services, like the supermarket and pharmacies.

If your setting is: Red, this isn’t like a red card, you get to stay on the field.

Use ‘My Vaccine Pass’ when out and about, but there will be limits of how many are allowed in places.

This keeps things operating and still keeps us safe.

Without a vaccine pass there are more restrictions around where you can go, and what you can do, including attending events and visiting many businesses.

Oh, and we all need to keep those masks on, like a team uniform.

Schools and workplaces should stay open.

Gyms will stay open too, if using a vaccine pass, but with a limit on the numbers.

Then there’s Orange.

Using vaccine passes, at Orange there’ll be no limit on numbers, and masks still play a part.

If you aren’t using a vaccine pass, some places may be pick up only.

And then, Go-for-it Green!

While COVID remains in play, masks on planes and encouraged indoors.

There will be no limits at places with ‘My Vaccine Pass’.

Without ‘My Vaccine Pass’ there’s still some restrictions.

The ball is in your court now, you need to play it safe.

So: Mask, Scan, Pass.

Plus, common sense team, keeping it kind will go a long way.

So c’mon team, let’s look after ourselves and be COVID-fit!

It’s important to rest at home and drink plenty of liquids when you have COVID.

Here are some ways to ease some of the symptoms you might be experiencing.

I’ve had a few aches and pains and my healthcare team said I could take paracetamol or ibuprofen to help with fever, body aches and headaches.

My nose has gone from blocked to runny and I’ve been coughing a bit. So, I’m allowed to use a nasal spray, decongestants, lozenges and cough mixture.

I’ve tried a couple of things for my sore throat, like salt-water gargle. (pulls a face)

A Teaspoon of honey went down a bit better!!

I got the pharmacy to deliver lozenges and some throat spray.

I’ve been throwing up and pooing all day. It’s not fun, but I’m keeping my fluids up, best I can. Sucking an ice-cube or ice-block is good.

Even if you experience mild or no symptoms, it’s important to stay hydrated – this means drink plenty of liquids or rehydration drinks like Gastrolyte.

Keep monitoring your symptoms so you can stay on top of any changes. Avoid running, or strenuous exercise.

Just chill.

You can do this and if at anytime you have any concerns that healthcare team is just a phone call away.

COVID-19 often causes problems with breathing. It’s been found that changing position regularly can make it easier to breathe and gets air to different parts of your lungs.

Lying on your back can make it harder to breathe, so try a few different positions: (character does this along with script)

Roll towards your tummy as far as you can, maybe with a pillow under your arm and leg.

Lying on the right side.

Lying on the left side.

Then back to lying on your belly.

Maybe try lying on an angle in a lazyboy, or propped on an angle with pillows instead?

Aim for about two hours or at least 30 minutes in each position if you can manage it.

Use pillows under your:

• head and neck
• chest
• pelvis
• and lower legs [see images] to make yourself more comfortable.

It’s better to wait an hour or so after eating to try these positions out, (especially lying on your tummy!)

If you’re still feeling short of breath, here are a few more things you can try.

Try a sitting position. Support your arms on your legs, on another surface, or against a wall.

I’m going to give forward leaning a go. You lean forward from the waist with your head and neck resting on a pillow and your arms on a table.

Oh, that’s helping. I might just try it without the pillow and rest my head on my hands.

If you don’t have a table handy, you can use a walker or sit on a chair. Lean forward to rest your arms on your lap or on the armrests of the chair.

And you can lean forward while standing too. Like on a windowsill or the edge of the deck.

You don’t need to just lean forwards either. You can lean against a wall or a tree, or anything.

Make sure your hands are by your side, your feet are about 30cm away from the wall, and slightly apart.

You can do this! Remember if you have new, or worse trouble breathing and have concerns, call 111.

Better breathing:

1. Lying on your back can make it harder to breathe.
2. Try lying in different positions for 30 minutes or more.
3. Use a pillow to make yourself more comfortable.
4. Standing up and leaning on hard surfaces can help.
5. Know when to call for help.

hn.org.nz/breathing-positions

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.

Isolating can be really hard, especially if you live with whānau, friends or in smaller spaces.

You have to stay physically distanced from the rest of the household. It can help if you have a sleepout. If that’s not possible, stay in your room as much as you can and open windows to improve the airflow.

There are some important rules you should follow.

Stay at home

Kia ora John. I’m not feeling that great. I’ve got my results back and I’ve got the virus. No club night for me. I’ll be staying put for now.

Don’t leave home for food or medicines.

Koro, I’m leaving your brekky outside the door. And I’m making a list for online shopping.

Anything you need?

If you live alone or with others, arrange for someone to drop off food or medicines. Or you can get them delivered.

If you need to use the toilet or bathroom, use a separate one if you have it. If that’s not possible, use it after everyone else has been.

When you leave your room, wear a mask and keep 2 metres away from others.

Just going for a shower, kids.

We’re putting our masks on!

Hi guys, koro’s not too well. We’re all isolating so we can’t see you for a while, sorry.

If you are asked to stay at home with COVID-19, you’ll need to monitor your own symptoms. You can get help from a healthcare team if you need it. Kia ora e hoa. I’m outside getting some fresh air. I’m a bit hōhā but all good. Yep, I’m keeping track of my symptoms and got the kids running round after me.

You can do this and if at any time you have any concerns, a healthcare team is just a phone call away.

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.

We’re lucky that there’s a sleepout in the garden, so I’m using that until I feel better. If you don’t have a sleepout, you’ll have to stay in your house in a separate room or a space all to yourself as much as you can. And keep the door closed.

Keep the windows open to let fresh air circulate.

If you have to stay in your house like me, use a separate loo or bathroom. If you have to share, try using it after everyone else so it can be cleaned and ready for everyone else to use again.

Clean and disinfect all the surfaces you touch around your home, like taps, toilet flushers, door handles, light switches, keyboards and benches etc

Afterwards and often during the day, wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Then dry your hands well and put the towel in the wash – or rubbish if it’s paper.

It’s a good idea to have hand sanitizer around the place, and you need to rub your hands with it for 20 seconds.

Avoid using shared spaces, like the kitchen or dining room, at the same time as other people. Eat in a different room from other people.

And make sure you don’t share cups, glasses, plates and cutlery. Wash them separately in really hot soapy water.

If you do have to use a shared space with others in your household, everyone, including yourself, should wear a mask, keep a distance of at least 2 metres and keep windows open to get that fresh air in.

Sneeze
Bless you.

Try to cough or sneeze into your elbow, or cover your mouth and nose with tissues. Put your used tissues into a lined rubbish bin and wash or sanitize your hands again. Easy as.

You can do this! Remember, stay away from others in your home as much as possible. And if you have new or worse trouble breathing and have concerns, call 111.

Key messages for end slide:

• Stay away from others in your own room if possible.
• Keep the room well ventilated with fresh air.
• Use a separate toilet and bathroom, or use it after everyone else.
• Disinfect and clean all surfaces you touch.
• Wash your hands often.
• Avoid shared household spaces like the kitchen or dining room.
• Use separate cups, plates, glasses, etc and wash in very hot water.
• If you have to share a space, everyone should wear a mask and keep a distance of 2 metres or more.

hn.org.nz/stopping-the-spread