Most people with COVID-19 — especially if they are fully vaccinated and boosted — are likely to have a mild to moderate illness and will be fine to recover at home.
Symptoms for COVID-19 tend to show 2 to 5 days after a person has been infected but can take up to 14 days. Omicron causes similar symptoms to other variants.
Advice on managing your COVID-19 symptoms | COVID-19 Health Hub (external link)
If you need advice
If you need advice on how to treat your symptoms or have worsening symptoms, talk to your healthcare provider or call Healthline on 0800 358 5453.
If it is an emergency
If your symptoms get worse or you need urgent medical care, call your local healthcare provider or Healthline on 0800 358 5453
If you or the person you are caring for develops difficulty breathing, severe chest pain, fainting or becomes unconscious, call 111 immediately.
Medicines are available to treat COVID-19
Medicines to treat COVID-19 are available for people who are at risk of developing serious illness and for some people who have tested positive for COVID-19.
Medicines to treat COVID-19
COVID-19 healthcare is free
You will not have to pay for any COVID-19 related medical costs for up to 6 weeks from the first day you develop symptoms or the date of your first positive test, whichever came first.
This includes 1 follow-up check with your healthcare provider if required during those 6 weeks, once your acute episode of COVID-19 is over.
After you have had the follow-up check, if you required one, and you no longer have acute COVID-19, you will then need to pay for your future visits to your doctor and prescription dispensing fees, just as you would for other medical conditions, even if it is within the 6-week period.
If you are a visitor to New Zealand for a holiday or other temporary stay, you may need to pay for any healthcare costs.
