A warm welcome to the Millhouse community and other readers.
Since I last wrote the 'slippery customer' DELTA COVID has gained a foothold in New Zealand and is now moving down the North Island with the occasional case in the South. Importantly, the Government's focus has moved from one of elimination to containment; we must now live with this endemic virus and General Practice will be increasingly responsible for managing community infection.
Our Practice Nurse team will be primary responders to assist those in our practice who become infected with COVID and are required to isolate at home. For most the symptoms will be mild, but others will experience a severe flu-like illness, with a few requiring hospital care.
Through video and phone conversations, our nurses will assess status, monitor progress, and liaise with your family doctor, community support agencies and the hospital specialist if that becomes necessary.
This newsletter highlights the expected symptoms and progressive stages of COVID disease, beginning with the viral replicating after it enters the body, then an inflammatory response, followed by the clotting and hyper-inflammatory phase. Commit the symptoms to memory so you can recognise them if you become unwell; you may well be asked to isolate at home under GP and Nurse oversight.

Viral Phase: Fever, sore throat fatigue muscle aches loss of taste/smell, nausea, diarrhea, chills, loss of appetite
Inflammation Phase: Cough, difficulty breathing, shortness of breath
Hyper-inflammation Phase: Blood clotting, chest heaviness & pain, breathing difficulty

Millhouse News includes welcoming our new Practice Nurse Rajbir, who is fluent in Hindi and Punjabi.
Covid Vax and swabs are both accessed by calling Reception.

In the rest of the newsletter,  Dr Ric offers more comparative information about the Covid-19 response in NZ and other countries. He describes the initial treatment plan for those diagnosed with the virus and reiterates the importance of vaccination and personal health strategies for survivability.

In the rest of the newsletter,  Dr Ric offers more comparative information about the Covid-19 response in NZ and other countries. He describes the initial treatment plan for those diagnosed with the virus and reiterates the importance of vaccination and personal health strategies for survivability.

Check the archives.....

Explore the Fact Sheets.......

In this issue...

• Living with the Covid virus means patient oversight is coming under the care of General Practice
• We now offer Covid-19 Vaccination, and Covid swabs continue to be provided. Both are available at Millhouse 130; please book with Reception 
• Welcome to Nurse Rajbir
• Dr Therese' hours changed as she covers an unwell colleague
• Don't forget to use ManageMy Health and digital prescriptions to reduce interpersonal contact

and this month Dr Ric comments on the continuing spread of the virus here and in countries of interest. He offers some useful graphs and describes the three phases of infection you may have to deal with if isolating at home under GP oversight.