Dear member / clinic owner,
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As you know, since we last wrote, the latest community outbreak has enlarged, and Auckland has entered a seven day level three alert lockdown.
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We must prepare for the worst case, of extensive community spread by a more infectious variant, as flu season approaches - if not from the current outbreak, then a future one.
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We refer to spread of COVID-19 by small persistent viral particles that may travel beyond two metres.
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Based on our assessment of the literature (see review, prepared by Kelvin Ward) and WHO and CDC guidelines, we believe airborne transmission is an important mode of spread and strongly advise clinics to take whatever practicable measures they can against it – please see this document.
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This can include advice to patients about ventilation – opening doors and windows when possible in at-risk indoor situations, meeting outside if possible, avoiding crowded indoor spaces, and wearing a mask when indoors in a public area.
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We continue to press for strong Ministry public health messaging about airborne transmission and countermeasures such as those above.
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PREVENTING HCW INFECTION WITH COVID-19
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Healthcare workers are at high risk of contracting COVID-19, and healthcare facilities are a high risk environment for transmission to patients.
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We’ve put together an extended list of recommendations (see attached), including those listed in the last email (guidelines on double masking, PPE reuse), and a reminder about measures we recommended last year, such as telehealth, separate handling of cold and flu patients, and ventilation.
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TRAINING IN FIT TESTING AND FIT TEST KIT SUPPLY
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We hope that clinics have managed to organise fit testing of staff since our last email. Fit testing can be arranged via NZ Occupational Hygienist Society Commit2Fit Training and accreditation program https://nzohs.org.nz/commit2fit/
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Another option is to have a staff member trained to be a fit tester. 3M offers this, and fit test kit sales ($300) in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Waikato / BOP - but we have not been able to find out if this kind of training is acceptable to the MoH.
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Clinics that want to arrange this can contact Penny King at 3M, Office: +64 9 477 4040 | Mobile: +64 27 249 0040
plking@mmm.com
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We thank the RNZCGP and Dr Bryan Betty for letting us know about this resource.
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RNZCUC has no financial links with 3M.
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For Covid-19 vaccination updates:
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- The Immunisation Handbook, https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/immunisation-handbook-2020/5-coronavirus-disease-covid-19
- IMAC https://www.immune.org.nz/covid-19-vaccines
We understand first-hand the stresses caused by lockdown and by a pandemic that has now lasted for over a year. The College has a list of wellness resources that might be useful; please also contact us if you think we can help.
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RACP COVID-19 Vaccination Series
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RACP is running a webinar covering the vaccination rollout. Information is available here.
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David Gollogly, Jasmine Mackay, Richard Chen, Kelvin Ward
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Pandemic Response Committee
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