The MoH has made a change to the guidance for community testing that has been extended until 01 Nov 2020. This impacts pregnant or recently pregnant women living in the Auckland region that covers the 3 DHB geographical areas; Waitemata, Auckland and Counties Manukau.
Pregnant and recently pregnant women do not need to be routinely tested. As with other individuals who fall into the higher-risk groups, if a pregnant or recently pregnant woman presents to a General Practice or Urgent Care in the Auckland region requiring clinical care, the clinician will have a conversation with the patient and talk through the testing guidance, and may be offered a test. If they present to a community-based assessment centre in Auckland, they should not be turned away.
Testing places around New Zealand can be found on the website; https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/diseases-and-conditions/covid-19-novel-coronavirus/covid-19-health-advice-public/assessment-and-testing-covid-19#auckland
It is critical that all individuals who present with symptoms consistent with COVID-19, as well as those that meet HIS criteria and have atypical symptoms, irrespective of region are tested. Some symptomatic people will need to self-isolate as per guidance on the website. However, even if they don’t have to self-isolate, people with symptoms should remain at home as much as possible until they are well.
The table below will provide guidance around the testing of asymptomatic people.
| Who | Action |
| Does not have symptoms of COVID-19. Does not meet HIS criteria but are: · Health workers, including Aged Residential Care workers · Hospitality workers, including hotel, restaurant staff · Public-facing tourism workers · Public-facing transport workers (e.g. bus, taxi, Uber) · Close contact of border worker groups |
Offer testing if they present to your service. No need to self-isolate while awaiting test result. |
| In the Auckland region:
Does not have symptoms of COVID-19. Does not meet HIS criteria but is at greater risk of poor health outcomes if they were to contract COVID-19: |
Offer testing if they present to your service.
No need to self-isolate while awaiting test result. |