Paxlovid COVID-19 antiviral medicine
Healthcare professionals are now able to prescribe Paxlovid, a COVID-19 antiviral medicine. Community HealthPathways have been updated to include information on this medicine, including the eligibility criteria. 

Health Navigator NZ has created a patient information page and factsheet for this medicine. We are also working on translations for this factsheet, so keep an eye out for them.

Ibuprofen and paracetamol factsheets
Health Navigator NZ has recently developed medicine factsheets for 2 commonly used pain medicines -  ibuprofen and paracetamol. The factsheets explain how to safely take each medicine, the importance of checking the ingredients of other medicines you take, what to do if you take too much paracetamol and when you shouldn't take ibuprofen.  

These are available in Te Reo Māori, Samoan, Cook Island Māori, Tongan, Niuean and English. 

Healthcare professionals survey
Health Navigator NZ needs your help. We are seeking feedback about how healthcare professionals use our website. We would be grateful if you could spend a few minutes completing our survey on where you go and how you use the site, so we can make it better. Complete the survey and enter our prize draw to win a $50 supermarket voucher. Start the survey.

Long COVID
Health Navigator NZ has developed a series of long COVID information pages to support people who experience the effects of COVID-19 for weeks or months beyond their initial illness. Topics covered include: 

These pages can all be found on our Long COVID topics page.

If you have COVID-19, learn how to measure your breathing rate and find out ways to help make your breathing easier.  Watch now.

If you test positive for COVID-19, you'll be given digital tools to help you look after yourself and others. Watch this animation to learn more.

 

If you are pregnant and have tested positive for COVID-19, watch this video to learn what to look out for and how to get medical care and support while you are isolating at home. Watch now.

This animation outlines the things you can do to support your mental health and wellbeing while you're isolating at home with COVID-19. Watch now.

 

In this animation workplaces can learn how to handle contract tracing when an employee tests positive for COVID-19.  Watch now.

 

We now also have simplified Chinese captions available on 2 of our COVID-19 animations:

To watch these animations with Chinese captions, click CC on the bottom of the player window, then click the settings symbol, select subtitles and choose Chinese (simplified). 

More translations in a range of languages are needed - can you help? Contact comms@healthnavigator.org.nz

Every beat tells a story
The Heart Foundation recently launched an atrial fibrillation public awareness campaign. The campaign includes tools and resources to educate people on how take their pulse to pick up warning signs that their heart may not be working as well as it should. 

The Heart Foundation has also recently launched an eLearning course on common heart rhythm problems for nurses and other healthcare professionals in primary care. Read more.

Impact of COVID-19 August/September 2021 Topline results
This Te Hiringa Hauora/Health Promotion Agency report is the third in a series of reports about the impact of COVID-19 lockdown on New Zealanders’ habits and behaviours. Based on survey results, it examines changes in alcohol drinking, smoking, vaping and gambling behaviours during the August/September 2021 lockdown. Read more.

Paced breathing app
Paced breathing is an app designed to help you improve your breathing. The app will help users to breathe at the pace they are aiming to breathe at and to focus on their breathing exercises. Find out more.

Virtual consult apps
These apps enable patients to have an appointment with a New Zealand registered health practitioner without seeing them in person. Find out more.