covid-19-testing-strategy-16-nov-6-dec-2020

COVID-19 Testing Strategy for 16 November to 6 December 2020 Purpose 1.

This document provides an update to the COVID-19 testing strategy that commenced on 5 September 2020. This update is part of the broader ongoing testing strategy https://www.health.govt.nz/system/files/documents/pages/new_zealands_national _testing_strategy_for_covid-19_for_june_to_august_2020-290620_0.pdf

2.

The update takes into account the current situation in New Zealand, including the border status and the increased mobility of the population resulting from the country currently being at Alert Level 1.

3.

This updated testing strategy will be implemented for the period 16 November to 6 December 2020.

4.

It is intended to ensure that we continue to: a.

Implement a sufficient level of testing across Aotearoa New Zealand to ensure that any cases of COVID-19 are quickly identified and managed.

b.

Provide reassurance that the border is secure through continued mandatory testing protocols.

Context 5.

As at 16 November there were 58 active COIVID-19 cases in New Zealand, of whom six are community cases. Three of the community cases were identified during the last week - a close contact of a Defence Force employee in Wellington and a retail worker in the Auckland CBD on Thursday 12 November, and a close contact of the Auckland retail worker on Sunday 15 November – while the other three cases were identified during the previous fortnight.

6.

ESR genome sequencing has directly linked the source of transmission of all six community cases to the border.

7.

Source investigation and contact tracing of these cases emphasise our continued focus on testing those with symptoms and contacts of confirmed or probable cases, as well as our routine testing of border workers.

8.

Testing rates have averaged 38,249 a week for the four weeks ended 15 November 2020.

9.

Recent community testing trends include: a. Testing rates for Māori (as measured by test numbers per 1,000 population) remain below non-Māori in most areas. b. Pacific people’s testing rates are similar to, or slightly above, testing rates for non-Pacific in most areas.

c. All age groups (particularly those under 15 years) in the Auckland region remain higher than for the rest of New Zealand d. Testing rates in the Auckland region continue to remain above the rest of New Zealand but are decreasing, while rates across the rest of New Zealand have levelled off.

Testing approach 10.

The mainstay of this Testing Strategy is to test all people with symptoms of COVID-19.

Anyone with symptoms of COVID-19 should be tested as a priority, irrespective of age, region or other risk criteria.

11.

Anyone presenting to hospital with an acute respiratory infection should be tested for SARS-CoV-2, irrespective of region or other risk criteria.

12.

We anticipate a minimum of 30,000, and potentially up to 40,000 tests per week, including the mandatory border testing.

13.

Community testing needs to focus on reducing barriers to access and needs to include non-appointment-based options. To ensure that testing is equitably available, approaches should continue to be developed with Pacific and Māori and Pacific communities and health leaders.

14.

Taking the above into account, the testing approach for the next two weeks should continue to focus on: testing anyone with symptoms of COVID-19 in all regions regions/groups that were underrepresented in recent data, in particular Māori, whose testing rates have dropped below rates for non-Māori across several DHBs – notably: Auckland, Waitemata, Counties Manukau, Tairāwhiti, MidCentral and Canterbury target testing, by geographic locations, to ensure access for communities and in specific areas related to cases or settings with target populations surveillance testing as required, particularly as it relates to recent Auckland cases and locations of intertest.

15.

We continue to focus on the border, including testing border workers and those in managed isolation and quarantine facilities.

16.

In developing local approaches, lessons learned to date need to be considered, including: a. One size does not fit all—different approaches are needed for the different communities that require targeted testing. b. Clear messaging for communities is needed, including what to do while waiting for a result and the implications of a positive test for the person and their family. c. There should be clear instructions for the sector on who should be tested. d. There should be clear public messaging around when and where testing is available.

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17.

Information on testing sites and opening times should be updated in Healthpoint and remain current.

18.

It is also important that group A streptococcal (GAS) throat infections are considered and managed appropriately in MÄ ori and Pacific children and young people who present to primary care services or CTCs. For this priority population, it is also reasonable to take a throat swab to identify GAS and/or prescribe empiric antibiotics according to local guidelines.

19.

The key messages should stay consistent.

Wash your hands regularly.

Observe physical distancing.

Cough and sneeze into your elbow or a tissue.

Stay at home if you are unwell.

Ring Healthline or your GP for advice if you are unwell.

Get a test if you have any symptoms of COVID-19.

20.

This Testing Strategy does not recommend focusing on widespread asymptomatic testing of communities. However, consideration can be given to offering asymptomatic testing to the following groups if they present to primary care: 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 contacts of border workers.

Anyone (excluding recovered cases1) who has exited an MIQ facility within the last 14 days.

1

A person who has recovered from COVID-19, and so is no longer infectious, will continue to have fragments of SARSCoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) in their system for up to several months beyond their infectious period. Although these fragments are neither alive nor infectious they would produce a positive result if the person had a PCR test. This is because the PCR test is designed to detect SARS-CoV-2 genetic material but cannot distinguish between alive and dead genetic material.

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