Greater Wellington
COVID-19 Hub

Situation Update

It's Aotearoa Immunisation Week (29 May to 5 June 2023) - Find out more

Booster Vaccinations: From 1 March 2023, a new Pfizer COVID-19 bivalent vaccine became available to New Zealanders as a booster dose. This replaced the previous Pfizer booster and is considered likely to be more effective against Omicron sub-variants than earlier vaccines. Find out more on the Ministry of Health website.

An additional booster is now available to:

  • People aged 12 to 15 on prescription (please check with your GP)
  • Pregnant people 16 years and over (eligibility change from 1 May 2023)
  • Anyone aged 30 and over who has completed a primary course, as long as it’s been at least 6 months since their last COVID-19 booster or positive COVID-19 test.
  • People at increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19 who have completed a primary course, as long as it’s been at least 6 months since their last COVID-19 booster or positive COVID-19 test.
  • Find out more about booster vaccines and eligibility on the Unite against COVID-19 website,

Recent Updates

  1. Tamariki aged 6 months to 4 years who are immunocompromised or have complex health conditions are eligible for the paediatric Pfizer vaccine. For more details on eligibilityand how to book visit the Unite against COVID-19 website.

For advice and support call:

  • Call the dedicated COVID-19 Healthline on 0800 358 5453 for free COVID health advice anytime, even on public holidays. Interpreter support is available.
  • Call the COVID-19 disability helpline for free on 0800 11 12 13 or text 8988. It can help with vaccines, testing, face mask exemptions, managing COVID-19, and any other health concerns you may have. It is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Current active cases

The information included in these tiles will be updated on a Monday each week (or Tuesday after a public holiday).  It is snapshot in time created by balancing the need to protect public health with the individual right to privacy. It does not necessarily reflect the level of risk in each community. We reserve the right to change the way this information is provided.

Getting prepared

Everyone should prepare for what they need to do if they get COVID-19. Here are some steps you can take.

Getting vaccinated

Find out the easiest way you can get vaccinated.

Isolating at home

If you or someone you live with gets COVID-19 you will all need to isolate at home for 10 days. Find out what that looks like.

Managing COVID symptoms and Testing

Remember free RAT (Rapid Antigen Tests) can be ordered online here.

Managing COVID-19 Tips

Here are some COVID-friendly measures to protect you and your whānau:

  • Keep an eye out for symptoms such as a new or worsening cough, runny nose, sneezing, fever or a sore throat.
  • If you develop COVID-19 symptoms, take a rapid antigen test (RAT) as soon as you can and report the result on My Covid Record.
  • Free RAT (Rapid Antigen Tests) can be ordered online here
  • If you test positive for COVID-19, you will need to isolate for 7 days while you recover. Stay in your home or accommodation away from other people to help stop the spread of COVID-19 to the people around you. Read more on the COVID-19 Health Hub
  • There are free antiviral medicines available to any New Zealander 65+ who tests positive for COVID-19. For Māori and Pacific peoples, these medicines will be available for free to anyone aged 50+ who tests positive. In addition, anyone with three high-risk conditions is eligible for free anti-viral medicines. You need to start these within the first 5 days of developing COVID-19 symptoms. Read more about free COVID medicines here.

    Looking after yourself

     

    For many people COVID-19 will feel like a mild to heavy cold and you're best to treat it in the same way.

    • Rest
    • Drink plenty of fluids
    • Use remedies or over the counter medications to soothe your symptoms.

    Visit this page for some helpful tips here for more info.

    If your symptoms worsen and you are concerned about your health:

    • Contact your GP or iwi health provider - 8am-5pm
    • Contact Healthline on 0800 358 5453 afterhours

    If you or a family member have difficulty breathing, feel seriously unwell or unsafe call 111 immediately and tell them you have COVID-19.

    Here's a handy video with tips on making yourself as comfortable as possible while you recover.

     


    Managing your symptoms

    Tips and more information about how to soothe and manage the most common symptoms of COVID-19 so you can be as comfortable as possible as you recover.

    Making breathing easier

    COVID-19 can often make it harder to breathe or cause breathlessness, there are some simple things you can do to help your breathing.

    Mental health and wellbeing

    After over two years of COVID-19, it’s more important than ever to know the key steps to managing your mental health.

    Here are some quick links to websites and materials to help you and your whānau navigate COVID-19 in your whare and your community.

    Mental Wellbeing

    COVID-19 has been hard for us all
    I whēuaua te KOWHEORI-19 ki a tātou katoa

    If you need support, mental health and well-being resources are available to help you and your whānau.

    Find out more at COVID19.govt.nz/mentalhealth.

    Information and materials in other languages

    Information and materials in alternative formats:

    Look out for misinformation

    Misinformation, scams and online harm about COVID-19 and the vaccine work against us at a time when we need to work together to beat the spread of the virus.

    Get the facts

    You can find the most accurate and reliable information about COVID-19 and the vaccine from several trusted sources.

    Reporting misinformation

    You can help warn others about scams and misinformation by reporting them through official channels. It's easy. Find out how.

    Discussing misinformation

    Talking to loved ones about misinformation can be hard. Here are some tips on having meaningful and respectful conversations.