What is COVID-19?

COVID-19 is a new illness that can affect your lungs and airways. It’s caused by a type of coronavirus.

The symptoms of COVID-19 are:

• a cough
• a high temperature (at least 38°C)
• shortness of breath

These symptoms do not necessarily mean someone has COVID-19. The symptoms are similar to other illnesses that are much more common, such as cold and flu.

Contact information 

Together we can slow the spread and a new whole of government website United against COVID-19 has been developed using information primarily from the Ministry of Health and our website. The Ministry of Health latest media updates are also on this site.

For COVID-19 health advice and information please continue to contact the Healthline team (for free) on 0800 358 5453. For those who have recently been overseas they can register with Healthline online.

Healthline’s main number is still the one to call for non-coronavirus health concerns – 0800 611 116. Whichever number you call, you will get professional health advice and information.