Potential Scenarios for Covid-19 Testing
15 September 2021
Key recent updates for clinicians: • Anyone who has COVID-19 symptoms should be tested; • MOH has suspended the requirement for notification to Medical Officer of Health of people who meet HIS criteria due to being in regions with emerging outbreaks (those who have been at a location of interest during the identified period of time must still be notified).* • See the most recent MOH Testing Guidance • People should be tested if symptomatic (or subject to mandatory testing) regardless of vaccination status; • Systemic reactions to COVID-19 vaccination are common, especially after the second dose. However, new respiratory symptoms, loss of smell or taste, fever of 38 degrees Celsius or higher, or muscle aches getting worse over time, warrant COVID-19 testing; • People who meet HIS criteria or are contacts of a COVID-19 case should be tested if they have atypical symptoms and there is not another more likely diagnosis. They should self-isolate until they get a negative result, particularly where there are community cases in their area.
Symptomatic
Patient A:
Meets Clinical Criteria & HIS Criteria.
Swab Required
Mildly Symptomatic Requires Swab, No Examination Identify HIS Criteria on Path lab & Halcyon Forms Virtual Assessment + Refer to Pathlab ($69)
Requires Swab & Full Examination Identify HIS Criteria & MOoH Informed on Halcyon Form if required.
Simple Assessment + Swab ($138)
Full Medical Assessment + Swab ($287.50)
Swab in Swab in Practice = car/dedicated ”Simple room = Assessment” “Car or Room Assessment” in Halcyon in Halcyon
Swab Completed
Patient B: Meets Clinical Criteria, No HIS criteria. Assess whether Swab Required
Requires Potential Swab, No Examination
Virtual Assessment + Refer to Pathlab (if swab needed) ($69)
Requires Potential Swab & Examination
Simple Assessment, No Swab ($69)
Simple Assessment + Swab (Swab at GP) ($138)
Seen at practice but swabbed at Path lab = “Virtual + Swab Taken” in Halcyon
Swab Refused:
inform public health
No Swab Completed
Swab Completed
For up-to-date details on Testing, Notifying and Isolation Requirements for the above scenarios, see MOH guidance: www.health.govt.nz/our-work/diseases-and-conditions/covid-19-novel-coronavirus/covid-19-information-healthprofessionals/case-definition-and-clinical-testing-guidelines-covid-19
General Practice Testing Strategy: Test/refer for testing anyone who is symptomatic. Test and notify to Medical Officer of Health people with symptoms of COVID-19, meet HIS criteria and have been at a location of interest during the identified period of time. Isolate until a negative test is obtained. Targeted asymptomatic testing – on advice from Ministry of Health and/or public health unit only. HIS Criteria: any of the following 14 days prior to illness - international travel, direct contact with a person who has travelled overseas (e.g. customs and Immigration staff, staff at quarantine/isolation facilities), worked on international aircraft or shipping vessel, cleaned at international airport or maritime port in areas/conveniences visited by international arrivals, exited MIQ facility (excluding recovered cases), worked in cold store facility receiving imported chilled/frozen goods from international air/maritime port, travelled from an area with an evolving COVID-19 community outbreak, any other criteria requested by the local Medical Officer of Health. Most up-to-date information on HIS Criteria found on MOH website. PPE Requirements: Read MOH Guidelines on PPE Usage for up to date information. https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/diseases-and-conditions/covid-19-novel-coronavirus/covid-19-information-specific-audiences/covid-19-personalprotective-equipment-central-supply/personal-protective-equipment-use-health-and-disability-care-settings