Too sick to play and learn

Winter is the season for respiratory infections, colds and flu – Illnesses that can be spread easily in group settings like our Centres.

When are your tamariki well enough to return after illness?

Health New Zealand recommend staying at home if you or your tamariki have any symptoms of concern:

Fever – A temperature above 38°C

  • Tamariki are not recovered until their temperature has returned to normal (less than 38°C) without the use of paracetamol or ibuprofen.

Sore throat (notifiable to your Centre)

  • Pain relief should be adequate for your tamariki to feel comfortable.
  • Māori and Pacific tamariki are at a greater risk of rare but serious complications from strep throat. If you suspect strep throat, contact your healthcare provider for a throat swab and treatment.

Whooping cough (notifiable infectious disease)

  • Begins with a runny nose and persistent cough.
  • Adults who have had a cold followed by a cough lasting more than 14 days likely have whooping cough (sometimes called the 100-day cough).
  • Coughing adults can spread whooping cough up to 3 weeks after symptoms begin. Avoid contact with newborn babies and children under 12 months.

COVID-19 – New or worsening cough, sneezing, running nose and fever

  • Adults/tamariki who test positive for COVID-19 should isolate for at least 5 days even if they have mild symptoms.
  • Day 0 is the first day of symptoms started or your first positive test (whichever was first).
  • Some people may need more than 5 days to recover.

If you have household contacts who have COVID-19:

  • Adult who test negative and feel well can attend a Centre. If symptoms develop, retest after 24 and 48 hours.
  • Tamariki can attend a Centre if they are feeling well and are symptom free. If symptoms develop, they should stay at home for 48 hours with a RAT test at the start and end of that period.
  • If both RAT tests are negative and symptoms are mild, then this suggests that they do not have COVID-19.
  • A positive RAT test means you will need to follow guidance to prevent spread.
  • A negative RAT test doesn’t rule out other illnesses. Please keep tamariki at home until they have recovered.

Medication Reminder

Always give the correct dose of pain relief (paracetamol or ibuprofen) based on your tamariki’s weight or age.

What can you do to help?

Simple steps can reduce the spread of illness:

Hand hygiene – Wash hands regularly with soap or use an alcohol-based sanitiser.

Respiratory hygiene – Cover mouths when coughing or sneezing. Dispose of used tissues into a bin and clean hands afterwards.

Wear a mask – If you are feeling unwell wear a mask in a crowd or enclosed area.

Ventilation – Fresh clean air reduces the risk of airborne illnesses. Depending on your building this may mean partially opening windows or refreshing air in closed rooms at least 4 times a day.

 

If you or your tamariki feel unwell…

Please stay at home to support a quick recovery and help protect others in your Centre.

If you need further information or you have query about this article, then please contact [email protected]