COVID-19

If your child has COVID-19, it can be a worrying time for you. But most children with COVID-19 will have a mild illness. Find out about how to care for your child at home and when to see a doctor.

COVID-19 is airborne and can spread easily from one person to another. There are some key things you can do to minimise the risk of infecting others, including wearing masks and ventilating spaces, such as opening windows.

If your child has tested positive for COVID-19, they need to isolate for 7 days. This means they have to stay home for 7 days, and cannot have any visitors. Most children will have mild to moderate symptoms and can be cared for at home.

There are some things whānau can do to prepare for positive cases in their home, as well as having the COVID-19 vaccine. These include preparing a kit with essential items, making a COVID-19 home plan, and preparing to self-isolate if you, your child or someone else in your household test positive.  

If you are COVID-19 positive and caring for a newborn baby, there are some things you can do to protect them. Find out what you can do to keep them safe, what you can expect from your maternity carer and what to do if you become quite unwell. 

Omicron is another form of COVID-19. It's more infectious than previous versions, so spreads very quickly. It's less likely to make you severely ill. Some people might not even know they have it. Stopping Omicron is all about masks and fresh air. Check a booklet to support kids returning to school with Omicron in 2022.

Kiwi kids, it's time to mask your face at school and when you're out and about in the community. Protect yourself, your friends, your family, your whānau and community.

Watch a short video in English answering the most common questions about the COVID-19 vaccine.

Watch a short video in te Reo Māori answering the most common questions about the COVID-19 vaccine.

Immunisation remains a priority for whānau during the COVID-19 pandemic. You can  protect your child against serious diseases like whooping cough and measles. 

Looking for something to help your child make sense of COVID-19? Check these resources - from videos for kids about the science behind coronavirus to online stories that can be important conversation starters in your household. 

Wearing a mask or face covering can reduce the risk of people who have COVID-19 spreading the virus to others. A mask or face covering can help stop infectious droplets spreading when a person speaks, laughs, coughs or sneezes. See how to make your mask more efficient. 

It is perfectly normal and OK to feel anxiety in the current COVID-19 pandemic. This can result in strong feelings, reactions, and changes in behaviour. There are a number of steps you can take to help your children, family/whānau and yourself.

If you have COVID-19, you can still breastfeed your baby. So far, there is no evidence of mothers passing on COVID-19 to babies through breastmilk. The main risk of breastfeeding is close contact between you and your baby. So, take precautions if you are breastfeeding and you have COVID-19.

The NZ Clinical Network for Children and Young People with Diabetes advises that it is safe for children and young people with diabetes to be at school when they are open. It's also important for children and young people with diabetes (5 years of age and over) to have the COVID-19 vaccine. 

The Australian and NZ Children's Haematology and Oncology Group advises it is safe for all siblings and the vast majority of childhood cancer and bone marrow transplant patients to be at school when schools are open.

DELTA got everyone worried. Check a booklet by Mel Churton, New Zealand psychologist. It offers support for children returning to school. There are 2 versions - for children up to year 8 and for years 9+.