What to do if your taitamariki or pēpē gets COVID-19
First – Don’t panic. This isn’t your fault. Omicron is highly contagious.
If your taitamaiti hasn’t been tested but they’re showing the following symptoms – stay home until they have been tested. Call the COVID-19 line 0800 358 5453 to get a test or visit your nearest testing station. You can find your nearest centre here
Symptoms of COVID-19
Fever
Cough
Trouble breathing
Gastrointestinal problems - sore tummy, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea
Headaches
Muscle aches
Loss of taste and smell
Cold symptoms e.g sore throat and/or sneezing
Omicron is a weird virus – some tamariki will get very sick, some tamariki won’t have any symptoms at all.
Testing
If you think your taitamaiti has symptoms of COVID-19, call your family doctor or phone the COVID-19 line on 📞 0800 358 5453. They will give you the most up-to-date information on testing.
If your taitamariki tests positive for COVID-19
You must isolate with them for 10 days. You will be sent a link to complete an online form, which will help identify locations you have visited and people you have come into close contact with.
How to isolate with your COVID-19 positive taitamariki
If possible, isolate with your taitamaiti and ONE parent or caregiver in another room from the rest of the whānau. Wash your hands often. Wash doorknobs and surfaces. Wear a mask as often as possible. Keep windows open to help with air flow and ventilation. If you’re hapū, see if you can have another caregiver or parent look after your tamariki so you can limit contact.
If you have a high-risk adult or taitamaiti in your whare, consider having them isolated in another room, another area of the whare, or at another family member or friend’s whare. If this isn’t possible, they should always wear a mask and limit interactions as much as possible.
Keep other people and pets in the whare away from your taitamaiti as much as possible. If you can, have your sick taitamaiti use a different bathroom from others. If that isn't possible, wipe down the bathroom often.
Keep other people and pets in the whare away from your taitamaiti as much as possible. If you can, have your sick taitamaiti use a different bathroom from others. If that isn't possible, wipe down the bathroom often.
High risk means:
• Unvaccinated
• Immunocompromised either from disease or medications
• 65 years old and older
• Hapū / pregnant
• Chronic lung disease including moderate to severe uncontrolled asthma, BPD from prematurity, Interstitial lung disease, Pulmonary hypertension, COPD
• Heart Conditions
• Chronic kidney or liver disease
• Dementia
• Diabetes
• Down Syndrome
• Smoker/Vaper
If a high-risk person in your whānau gets COVID-19 contact their specialist or hospital care team immediately.
If your whānau gets COVID-19 despite taking precautions – remember, it’s very contagious. It’s not your fault. Be kind and gentle with yourself!
If your whānau gets COVID-19 despite taking precautions – remember, it’s very contagious. It’s not your fault. Be kind and gentle with yourself!
How to look after your COVID-19 positive taitamariki
You’ve got this. Stay calm. It’s likely your pēpē has been sick before, and you’ve been able to handle it. COVID-19 is no different.
• Keep them well-hydrated.
• Monitor nappies and wees to make sure they’re drinking enough.
• Don’t worry if they’re not hungry.
• Rest often. Use paracetamol for fevers. Some tamariki might struggle with oral paracetamol if they have a sore throat. Ask your pharmacist or doctor about rectal paracetamol.
• Use nasal suction or steam.
• Make sure they rest as much as possible – screen time is fine!
• Keep a close eye on their breathing – if they have any pauses in breathing, seem to be straining to breathe or have irregular or fast breathing, or if they’re too out of breath to talk or are out of breath after walking or if they turn blue or faint – call 111 immediately.
When to get help
If your taitamaiti has a disability or is high risk – contact your paediatrician or care team as soon as they’re diagnosed.
If your taitamaiti doesn’t have a disability, is vaccinated and is not high risk take them to hospital or afterhours if:
• your taitamaiti looks really unwell – you’re their parent, trust your instincts
• they are confused or very sleepy
• they have chest pain
• they are cold, sweaty, pale or have blotchy skin
• they are dizzy
• they have very bad belly pain
Look for contractions on their chest, like pulling in between the ribs or the nostrils puffing with their breathing. If they have breathing problems: go to hospital.
If you’re not sure – call the dedicated COVID-19 Healthline, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for free on 0800 358 5453
Again: Call 111 immediately – if your taitamaiti has any pauses in breathing, seem to be straining to breathe or have irregular or fast breathing, or if they’re too out of breath to talk or are out of breath after walking or if they turn blue or faint.
Self-care
This is a scary time for you as a parent. Remember to fill your cup if you can. Talk to your whānau and friends by phone and ask for help with deliveries of groceries.
Be kind and gentle to yourself. Consider this karakia by Mero Irihapeti to protect your heart as you care for your tamariki and whānau.
Hā ki roto | Breathe in
Hā ki waho | Breathe out
Kia tau te mauri e kokiri nei | Settle the mauri that stirs inside of me
I nga piki me ngā heke | Through the ups and the downs
Ko te rangimarie tāku e rapu nei | It is peace that I seek
Tihei mauri ora!