The Ministry for Pacific Peoples is encouraging Pacific communities in New Zealand to try and prevent long Covid by staying up to date with vaccinations.

'Today, there are 3,140 new cases of Covid-19 in the community, and 373 cases in hospitals around Aotearoa New Zealand,” says Secretary for Pacific Peoples Laulu Mac Leauanae.

'Although most people fully recover quickly after having Covid-19, some people may experience long-term effects referred to as long Covid.”

Long Covid can affect anyone who has had Covid-19, even those who had a mild case.

Symptoms can include:

• Respiratory symptoms, such as breathlessness or a cough
• Cardiovascular symptoms, such as chest tightness, pain, or palpitations
• Neurological symptoms, such as brain fog, dizziness, visual disturbance, joint and muscle pain
• Ear, nose and throat symptoms, such as tinnitus, sore throat, loss of taste and/or smell, and nasal congestion
• Other symptoms, such as fatigue, fever, stomach problems, abdominal pain, weight loss and reduced appetite, and sleep issues
• The most common symptoms in children and young people include changes to sense of taste and smell, unusual tiredness/fatigue, headaches, difficulty concentrating/brain fog, sleep disturbances Children can also have muscle aches, joint pain, cough, low mood, dizziness, rashes, chest pain, breathlessness, fast-beating or pounding heart, new of worsening urinary symptoms

'Everyone experiences Covid-19 differently and a holistic approach is recommended for the support and management of long Covid,” says Laulu Mac Leauanae.

'This includes using a range of allied health professionals to create a specific treatment plan to target different symptoms, such as occupational therapists, physiotherapists, dieticians, social workers, and psychologists.

'If you require support, there is help available. You can text or call 1737 free of charge anytime of the day or night to speak with a trained counsellor.”

Free face masks and RAT kits for Pacific-led organisations

'If you are a Pacific-led organisation, community group or work with Pacific communities, you can now access bulk medical grade face masks and rapid antigen tests (RATs) directly from the MPP website,” says Laulu Mac Leauanae.

This initiative is part of the Government's response to protecting Pacific communities from the impacts of Covid-19, the Pacific Aotearoa Community Outreach programme, targeting Pacific communities and those working with our Pacific peoples.

Visit here to place your order, or email request@mpp.govt.nz if you have any queries.

Alternatively, if you are an individual or non-Pacific focused organisation or group, you can order RAT kits and face masks directly from the Ministry of Health's Request a RAT site.
 
Tune in
'Don't forget to tune into Radio Samoa, at 4.10pm every Wednesday, where you can hear MPP representatives and guest clinicians or leaders provide a weekly update on Covid-19,” says Laulu Mac Leauanae.

Avoid long Covid – get vaccinated
'The best way to try and prevent long Covid, is by staying up to date with your vaccinations,” says Laulu Mac Leauanae.

Visit here to see where you can get vaccinated.

'Vaccines reduce the risk of long Covid by lowering the chances of getting Covid-19 in the first place.

'There is also evidence that vaccination reduces the risk of people who do get Covid-19 going on to develop long Covid.

'Remember to take it easy - rest as much as you can as you recover from Covid-19 and do not rush back into exercise and make any lingering symptoms worse,” says Laulu Mac Leauanae.

Visit here for advice and information on long Covid.

Click here for the Ministry of Pacific Peoples site.