mjohnston@nzdoctor.co.nz

A business adviser is urging general practices to prepare immediately for how they will operate at the height of New Zealand’s Omicron outbreak of COVID-19

A Cromwell GP believes wearing N95 masks helped him and two colleagues minimise their risk of catching COVID-19 from an asymptomatic COVID patient 

New Zealand’s Omicron wave is building up more slowly than expected 

General practice leaders understand all staff are covered under the Ministry of Health’s definition of their sector as a critical health service 

Canterbury DHB tells practices it will supply staff to some if needed, but also admits Omicron wave planning is incomplete 

Even after COVID-19 antibodies start declining some time after a Pfizer booster shot, cellular memory continues to provide immunity

Many businesses are seeking rapid antigen tests and some are using PCR testing for COVID-19 

Sydney GPs have been flying blind with Omicron, only learning of their patients’ diagnosis if the person phones up for help

Practices are being urged to school up their vulnerable patients on COVID-19 so they can quickly be tested and treated if they get symptoms in the coming Omicron wave

The RNZCGP has questioned the quantity of COVID-19 community antivirals on order by Pharmac, drugs which now seem unlikely to arrive until well into an Omicron wave