2 February 2022
Further Information on COVID
Following our update on COVID last week, we received a number of questions seeking more detail about what to do in the current Omicron outbreak. With further advice from the Clinical Advisory Panel, we respond to these questions below.
Question
Should people with CF test more proactively than the general public?
Answer
No. Please continue to follow Government advice on when to get tested. The Government has announced a three phase approach as part of its response to Omicron and testing arrangements vary under each of the three phases. Details of the three phases, including testing arrangements, can be found here.
We are currently at Phase 1 where there are cases in the community but the goal is to try to stamp them out. In Phase 2 cases have spread and the objective is to slow that spread and protect vulnerable communities. In this phase, the system will change and focus on identifying those at greater risk of severe illness from Omicron. The groups at greatest risk are the immune compromised and people with CF are not immunocompromised. The at risk group are transplant patients and the single most important thing they can do is get a 3rd primary vaccine or a booster when they are due for it. There is local data that it is effective protection.
Question
Should people with CF start taking prophylactic antibiotics if COVID is detected/suspected?
Answer
No – it is not recommended to take antibiotics. If someone with CF tests positive for COVID, they should contact their usual CF team to get advice.
Question
Are treatments available for high risk patients if they do contract COVID?
Answer
There are many different treatments available for COVID – some apply to immunocompromised patients. Only some of these are available in NZ. A person with CF would be treated like any other person who gets COVID and the treatment is based on a clinical assessment of disease severity. Many patients with Omicron have very mild disease and do not need any treatment. There is an array of treatments including steroids, anticoagulants, immune modulators (when there is systemic inflammation) and antivirals may have a role (depending on clinical situation, however, some of these are not available in NZ yet).
Question
Should CF families should buy/acquire an oxygen saturation meter for use at home?
Answer
Oximeters are generally provided to people with COVID disease – for those who are well enough to be managed at home.
Question
What symptoms should people with CF be concerned about?
Answer
Everyone will be familiar with the usual symptoms – new or worsening cough, sneezing and runny nose, fever, sore throat, loss of sense of smell or altered taste, and shortness of breath. These can be very mild with Omicron – effectively like a cold. For children, there is a higher rate of diarrhoea.
