The latest information on COVID-19 prepared by Kaipara Medical Centre for our community.
For the very lastest information please click here to follow Ministry of Health updates.
Ministry of Health guidelines remain that you should get a test as soon as you can if you have one or more of the following:
· a new or worsening cough
· a high temperature (at least 38˚C)/fever
· shortness of breath
· a sore throat
· sneezing and runny nose
· temporary loss of smell.
Shortness of breath is a sign of possible pneumonia and requires immediate medical attention.
We particularly encourage you to be tested if you develop new symptoms and you are a health care worker, aged care worker, or if you would have a greater risk of poor health outcomes if you were to get COVID-19. This includes if you are Māori, Pasifika, older than 70 years, or have certain pre-existing health conditions.
If you have these symptoms call Healthline (for free) on 0800 358 5453 or if you are an enrolled patient at Kaipara Medical Centre you can call the clinic on 09 420 8400.
Other people should call their own GP or go to one of the walk-in acute testing centres.
If you call the Kaipara Medical Centre a nurse will phone you back to discuss your concerns and make a time for you to be tested, if needed and/or an appointment with the GP in the viral clinic.
The test will be free for enrolled patients.
The nurse will ring you and make a time for you to come in. You will stay in your car and the nurse will come to you and do the test, the nurse will be wearing full-personal protective equipment (PPE).
We are testing by appointment Monday to Friday during normal working hours.
All patients with cough, cold symptoms must wear a mask and will usually be asked to wait in their car. We also encourage everyone else all patients to wear a mask/face covering while in the waiting room (please bring one with you).
Since the move to Level 1 we have seen a reduction in demand for COVID-19 tests and are now are doing 5-6 tests daily, with Monday being our busiest day.
Tests are also available at Community Testing Centres and Urgent Care Clinics.
Community Testing Centres
Opening hours for Community Testing Centre, designated General Practice sites and urgent care facilities can be found on the ARPHs website for opening hours.
The urgent care facilities that are closest to Helensville and are open 7 days a week are:
Westgate Medical Centre, 13E Maki Street Westgate (Mon–Sun, 8am–5pm)
White Cross Henderson, 131 Lincoln Road, Henderson (Mon–Sun, 8am–10pm)
Our final message is to stick with the basic good hygiene practices of washing your hands properly, using hand-sanitiser and logging your movements with the COVID Tracing App.
Stay safe and kia kaha everyone.
The Kaipara Medical Centre.
