Managing a positive Covid-19 result at home

Positive result notification

Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) are now the main testing method. You may have a supervised RAT done at a medical centre or you may be provided a RAT to do at home. 

Once you have done a RAT test or received your result from a supervised RAT test, please lodge this in to your My COVID Record or call 0800 222 478 and press 3 to report.
If the test is Positive, you will get a text message from the public health unit with a link to an online form. Click on the link to complete the form.

Step 1: Isolate (taratahi) at home

Step 2: Check if you need medicine to treat COVID-19

  • There are free medicines available for people who are most at risk of severe illness with COVID-19. You need to start these within the first 5 days of developing COVID-19 symptoms
  • Free medicines to treat COVID-19
  • Contact your pharmacy to check if you are eligible

Step 3: Monitor your symptoms

  • For most people, symptoms of COVID-19 will be mild and can be managed at home
  • It is important to keep an eye on symptoms and get help straight away if they get worse
  • COVID-19 symptoms and when to get help

Step 4: Tell people you have COVID-19

  • You should tell people you live with, your workplace or school and other people you have been close to that you have COVID-19
  • Telling people you have COVID-19

Step 5: Look after yourself

Step 6: Get help if you need it

Step 7: Managing Long COVID

Questions or Concerns?

  • If you have any questions regarding your isolation, please call the COVID-19 Healthline on 0800 358 5453 (24 hours, 7 days per week).

Helpful resources when you get a positive result