COVID-19 general FAQs for members

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FAQs for Te Whatu Ora members during the COVID-19 crisis

Precautions to reduce risk of transmission

Question:

What are the minimum precautions to reduce the risk of transmission of acute respiratory infections?

Answer:

  • Avoid close contact with people suffering from any acute respiratory infections.
  • Frequent hand-washing, especially after direct contact with ill people or their environment.
  • People with symptoms of acute respiratory infection should practice cough etiquette (maintain distance, cover coughs and sneezes with disposable tissues or clothing and wash hands) and stay home if unwell.
  • Adhere to standard infection prevention and control practices in primary health care.
  • All patients with respiratory infection and recent overseas travel history should be provided with a surgical mask upon entry to the facility. For suspect cases of COVID-19 infection, include contact and droplet precautions, such as personal protective equipment (PPE).
  • Aerosol-generating procedures should be avoided in primary health care.