Noa'ia, Fakaalofa lahi atu, Talofa lava, Kia ora, Kia orana,
Malo e lelei, Ni sa bula & Hello <<First Name>>,
Happy New Year! We trust that you all had a restful and enjoyable time with family and loved ones over the festive season and that the start of 2021 has seen you happy and well. We look forward to bringing you monthly updates during the year ahead, to support and inform your health and wellbeing.
You have probably seen in the news over the past week that there have been three new cases COVID-19 in the Northland and Auckland community. It has been confirmed that all of these cases are linked to the Pullman Hotel managed isolation facility.
You will find information about COVID-19 below. As you know there are simple things we can all do to keep ourselves and our communities safe. We encourage you to continue to do these each day.
As always, if you have suggestions or feedback to share, please let me know.
Ia manuia,
Karyn Ne’emia & the Pacific Equity Team
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COVID-19 community cases
There has recently been three new confirmed community cases of COVID-19; 1x in Northland and 2x in Auckland. All of these cases are linked to the Pullman Hotel managed isolation facility.
You can view the 'locations of interest' for these cases here.
If you have visited one of these locations at the time listed, there is still low risk of exposure, however just to be safe you need to:
- Stay at home.
- Contact Healthline on 0800 358 5453 to see if and when you need to get tested.
- If you begin to feel unwell or start to develop COVID-19 symptoms get a test immediately. You can view the locations where you can get a test here. Remember, tests are FREE for EVERYONE.
- If you receive a negative test, you need to continue monitoring your symptoms for the next 14 days. If you develop any COVID-19 symptoms you will need to have another test.
- Ensure you wash your hands regularly
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SAMOA - Special Health Travel Advisory
Recently, Samoa extended their requirements for travellers entering the country.
All travelers now need to have evidence of the items below, you can speak to your family doctor to arrange these:
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- A blood test for COVID-19 antibodies (tested within 5 days before boarding)
- A negative COVID test (within 72 hours before boarding)
- A Medical Clearance Certificate from a Registered Medical Practitioner within 72 hours before boarding
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TRAVEL FROM THE COOK ISLANDS
As of 21 January, passengers from the Cook Islands can travel to New Zealand without having to stay at a managed isolation facility when they arrive - this is called quarantine-free travel.
Travellers arriving from the Cook Islands must meet the following conditions:
- Have not been overseas outside New Zealand and the Cook Islands in the past 14 days.
- Maintain physical distance (as much as possible) from anyone in the arrival airport who did not arrive from the Cook Islands.
- Wear a face covering while in the arrival airport.
- There must be no reasonable grounds, as determined by a suitably qualified health practitioner, to suspect the traveller may have COVID-19. This may include:
- having had contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19 in the past 14 days
- having any COVID-19 symptoms, and
- waiting for a COVID-19 test result.
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Become a Guardian for the future! Immunise against measles!
Measles is a serious disease that can make you very sick and it is 8 times more contagious than COVID.
People aged 15 - 30 years can now get a measles vaccine for free as not everyone in this age group was immunised as a child.
If you are unsure if you were immunised as a child, it is safe to get another dose.
You can ask your family doctor for the immunisation or visit one of the participating pharmacies. Find out more info.
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Pacific Community Navigators
You may remember from 2020 that we are currently running a Pacific Community Navigator Pilot Programme in response to the rising need for social support for our Pacific community. We are pleased that our Pacific Community Navigator service has grown to include a third navigator, Talalelei Misikopa (Tala). Tala is Samoan and a highly experienced social worker, we are fortunate to have her as part of our team and have no doubt she will make a real difference to the families under her care.
Just prior to Christmas our Navigators delivered a little cheer to the families they are supporting, by delivering them baskets containing some health items such as hand sanitiser, tissues etc and as well as something sweet to eat during the festive season.
Below left: Talalelei Misikopa. Below right: Navigators with the Christmas baskets.
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Positive Parenting Active Lifestyle - another successful graduation!
We recently celebrated the graduation of the first Samoan group in our Positive Parenting Active Lifestyle Programme (PPAL). EFKS Western Strings were a very engaged group who never missed a session even throughout the Christmas holiday! PPAL Facilitator 'Akesa was praised for being able to relate to both the younger and older audience and the sessions were kept informative and fun. Here are some photos from the graduation ceremony.
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New Year's Honours - Outstanding Pacific leadership - Minister for Pacific Peoples Aupito William Sio issued a press release acknowledging the work of 13 Pacific leaders in the New Year’s Honours. Read more.
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QuitStrong Campaign - the Health Promotion Agency has launched a new campaign. Keep an eye out for it across TV, Radio and Social Media. If you would like to download the campaign resources and share them across your own communities, please do so here.
You can visit the QuitStrong website here which is full of info including how to get a FREE Quit Coach.
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Ministry for Pacific Peoples - Fetu Pasifika
The Ministry for Pacific People's send a regular email newsletter including all things Pacific! If you have not already signed up to receive this, you may like to do this here and you can view stories from the latest issue here.
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If you have any feedback regarding the newsletter itself, or it's content, please feel free to send us your feedback (karynn@alliancehealth.org.nz). Our facebook page @mamashouseAH is where we engage directly with our community - why don't you join us there!
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