Pātiki and Waharua Kōpito patterns

COVID-19 Testing advice

The COVID-19 Testing Plan and guidance documents have been removed from this website. Recommended COVID-19 testing advice is now located in the COVID-19 Chapter of the Communicable Disease Control Manual. Below is a summary of the updated recommended COVID-19 testing advice from 4 March 2024
COVID-19 Chapter

 The recommended COVID-19 testing advice is a key tool to help New Zealand with the ongoing management of COVID-19 and it provides the framework to support decisions about when and who to test for COVID-19.  

 

The recommended COVID-19 testing advice will ensure the continued: 

  • Use of rapid antigen tests (RATs) by the public to enable self-management. 
  • Use of RATs for those people who are symptomatic, especially those at greatest risk of severe illness, and to enable patient and outbreak management in high-risk facilities, and  
  • Use of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing if a result can influence treatment options. 

 

If sick stay at home and test using a COVID-19 RAT. 

If RAT is negative, and COVID-19 symptoms persist, stay at home and repeat RAT in 24 and 48 hours**and consider a 

PCR test where a result can influence treatment options. 

 

 High risk facilities/settings**** 

  

 

Test using a RAT.  

If RAT is negative, and COVID-19 symptoms persist, repeat RAT in 24 and 48 hours**and consider a  

PCR test where a result can influence treatment options***.  

(for hospitalised positive PCR cases, refer samples for WGS)  

 

 

* If RAT is still negative after 24 and 48 hours and symptoms are getting worse or you are concerned, contact a healthcare provider or phone Healthline. If symptoms have resolved, or are mild or improving, you do not need to stay home. 

 

** If RAT is still negative after 24 and 48 hours, healthcare providers should consider if further testing is required or an alternate diagnosis. 

 

*** If PCR - recommend keeping isolated from other residents/patients whilst awaiting test results. 

 

****High risk settings/facilities include aged residential care and hospitals as these types of settings/facilities include groups of people who have frequent, close, or extended contact with others who have the potential for greater exposure to SARS-CoV-2.