Case definition

Testing guidance

It is important that you continue to encourage all patients presenting to primary or secondary care with symptoms consistent with COVID-19 to be tested, regardless of whether they meet the HIS criteria or not. This advice applies to people living everywhere in New Zealand.

The assessment and swabbing for these patients are at no charge to the individuals.

We particularly encourage you to test the groups listed in Table 1.

It is critical to encourage all patients presenting with symptoms consistent with COVID-19 to be tested, irrespective of region.

Table 1: Guidance for primary and secondary care on essential groups for testing

Who Action Has symptoms of COVID-19 and meets the higher index of suspicion (HIS) criteria, as follows: In the 14 days prior to illness onset, person has: had contact with a confirmed or probable case

had international travel

had direct contact with a person who has travelled overseas (eg. Customs and Immigration staff, staff at quarantine/isolation facilities)

worked on an international aircraft or shipping vessel

cleaned at an international airport or maritime port in areas/conveniences visited by international arrivals, or

any other criteria requested by the local Medical Officer of Health Test and notify the Medical Officer of Health. The individual must self-isolate while test is pending, irrespective of Alert Level. Meets the HIS criteria, and has one or more of the following less typical symptoms: fever, diarrhoea, headache, myalgia, nausea/vomiting, or confusion/irritability, and there is not another likely diagnosis. Test and notify the Medical Officer of Health. The individual must self-isolate while test is pending, irrespective of Alert Level. Has symptoms of COVID-19. Does not meet the HIS criteria. Test. Stay home if unwell but no need to self-isolate while awaiting test results.

Table 2: Testing in 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: Māori

Pasifika

Seniors

Pre-existing conditions (for example: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes.) Offer testing if they present to your service. No need to self-isolate while awaiting test result. Asymptomatic border worker groups. This includes those who work at Managed Isolation and Quarantine Facilities Test as per Border Order. No need to self-isolate while awaiting test result. Asymptomatic close contacts of a confirmed or probable case Test as per advice from public health unit. Asymptomatic New Zealand-based air crew* Test

*More information on requirements for international airline crew is available.

Guidance for primary and secondary care on essential groups for testing fact sheet

For the period 7–21 September 2020

For the period 21 September–4 October 2020

Surveillance plan and testing strategy

Self isolation guidance

Anyone who meets the clinical and HIS criteria should be tested, self-isolate while awaiting test results and be notified to the public health unit.

Anyone who has been in Auckland and develops symptoms should be tested and advised to self-isolate while awaiting test results.



Anyone who is sick should be advised to stay home while they are unwell.

Areas of New Zealand at Alert Levels 3 and 4

At Alert Levels 3 and 4, all people who meet the clinical criteria who are tested should self-isolate while awaiting test results.

Only those meeting the HIS criteria need to notified to the Medical Officer of Health.

Areas of New Zealand at Alert Levels 1 and 2

At Alert Levels 1 and 2, only people who have symptoms and meet the HIS criteria need to self-isolate while awaiting test results.

All people with symptoms should stay at home if unwell and follow the advice of their health practitioner.

Asymptomatic testing

Those who meet the HIS criteria who are asymptomatic do not need to self-isolate while waiting for test results, unless they are advised otherwise, for example if they are still completing their 14 days self-isolation requirement as a close contact of a confirmed case.

Household members of close or casual contacts

Household members of:

close or casual contacts who are asymptomatic , do not currently have to self-isolate

, do not currently have to self-isolate close or casual contacts who are symptomatic, should self-isolate until the close or casual contact's test result is known.

Casual contact definition

A casual contact is defined as someone who has had contact with a person while they were infectious with COVID-19, but doesn't meet the criteria for a close contact. We define who is considered a close contact in our Advice for Health Professionals.

Casual contacts of a confirmed (or probable) case do not routinely need to be tested or self-isolate if asymptomatic. They should be advised to monitor their health for 14 days and to isolate themselves immediately if any symptoms develop and phone Healthline or their GP to arrange to be tested.

For casual contacts with no symptoms there are no restrictions on movements (aside from any that already apply due to the current Government alert level). However, there are situations where a Medical Officer of Health may advise casual contacts to isolate and get tested in the absence of symptoms, and only come out of self-isolation once they have a negative test result. This will be contingent on consideration by public health officials.

Casual contacts who are at higher risk of severe illness (eg, immunocompromised, people with co-morbidities) do not require additional public health follow-up.

COVID-19 Instructions on specimen collection

Guidance on how to take nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal specimens for COVID-19.

1 Coryza – head cold e.g. runny nose, sneezing, post-nasal drip.

2 Anosmia – loss of sense of smell.

3 Refer Advice for Health Professionals for close contact criteria.