Coronavirus and children with respiratory conditions

This is an official statement from the Asthma and Respiratory Foundation NZ Scientific Advisory Board in regards to asthmatic children and the coronavirus outbreak

At the moment there is no community outbreak of COVID-19 in New Zealand. Children and teenagers are at lower risk than adults from coming to harm from the virus, so it is currently safe to continue normal activities such as attending school, shopping and going on public transport. This includes children or teens with conditions such as asthma and bronchiectasis. You should not isolate your child unless it is needed as the longer isolation goes on the harder it is to keep it up.

Children with lung conditions may be at higher risk if there is a community outbreak, so to protect your child it is essential your child is currently taking their preventers and doing their usual maintenance therapies. Take time to review the Asthma and Respiratory Foundation website or app for information and videos regarding best management practices, and if you still have uncertainties speak with your healthcare professional. 

Your child should avoid situations or large gatherings where people may be travelling or transiting from other regions. This includes large sports events, concerts or plane travel. Keep your child home if they become unwell, ask them to cover coughs and sneezes, to stay at least 1 metre away from anyone unwell and to wash their hands frequently.

This advice may change if there is a community outbreak. Our advice is that you should monitor the Ministry of Health advice page https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/diseases-and-conditions/covid-19-novel-coronavirus

Prevention: How to protect yourself and others

• Cough or sneeze into your elbow or by covering your mouth and nose with tissues.
• Put used tissues in the bin or a bag immediately.
• Wash your hands with soap and water often (for at least 20 seconds).
• Try to avoid close contact with people who are unwell.
• Don’t touch your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean.
• Avoid personal contact, such as kissing, sharing cups or food with sick people.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces and objects, such as doorknobs.

The Ministry of Health also has this specific advice https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/diseases-and-conditions/covid-19-novel-coronavirus/covid-19-novel-coronavirus-health-advice-general-public/covid-19-novel-coronavirus-questions-and-answers

Coronavirus and the immunocompromised

People with underlying medical conditions, such as a compromised immune system, liver disease, cancer, kidney disease, heart disease and diabetes mellitus, need to take more precautions to protect themselves against all infections, including COVID-19.

While New Zealand currently has very few cases of COVID-19 and no evidence of sustained person-to-person transmission in our communities, we recommend people take the following simple steps to protect yourself and others:

• Avoid close contact with people with cold or flu-like illnesses.
• Cover coughs and sneezes with disposable tissues or clothing.
• Wash hands for at least 20 seconds with water and soap and dry them thoroughly:  
  • before eating or handling food
  • after using the toilet
  • after coughing, sneezing, blowing your nose or wiping children’s noses
  • after caring for sick people. 

Additional measures that you and your whānau and friends can take include:

• If you are immune-compromised, avoid staying with a person who is self-isolating (because they are a close contact of a confirmed case of COVID-19 or have recently travelled to any country except those listed in the countries and areas of concern under Category 2.)
• You should stay at least 2 metres away from people who are unwell, if you are immune-compromised.
• It's also important that everyone helps to protect the safety of immunocompromised people living in our community. For example, if you’re unwell, avoid contact with someone who is immune-compromised.
• We recommend checking safe travel advice about COVID-19 if you plan overseas travel.
• At this time, it wouldn’t make sense for someone who is immune-compromised to wear a mask when in public to decrease risk for catching COVID-19. However, if your health care provider advises you to wear a mask when in public areas because you have a particularly vulnerable immune system, follow that advice. 
• If you are taking immunosuppressive drugs we advise that you do not stop this medication without first consulting your GP or specialist.