I Tested Positive. What Next?: Student Solutions for Omicron in Flats and Halls of Residence

Words by Azaria Howell (she/her)

The Omicron variant of Covid-19 is spreading exponentially. With daily case numbers in the tens of thousands, preparedness has never been this important. And like an episode of Bear Grylls’ Man vs Wild (excluding the one where he drinks his own piss to survive), we’re gonna get prepared together.

When I was reading the news, doomscrolling through Twitter, and watching impromptu press conferences with caffeine and Covid-induced anxiety, questions arose.

What do I do if I’m a household contact and have a positive case in my flat? What is the protocol for halls of residence? What do I do if I have symptoms? Doomscrolling wasn’t enough. I needed answers.

It’s confusing. I’m not used to traffic lights, phase three, and seeing cases soar. One day I’ll be old enough to shock people when I say “we used to have lockdowns,” on a rocking chair with grandchildren and pets by my side, sipping a coffee and reminiscing on press conferences watched from a cracked laptop screen. “Yes, I was a graduate of Zoom University,” I’ll say, staring at the now-faded degree atop a hopefully-not-mouldy wall.

The First Step: Have a Plan

Our strongest form of protection against the Omicron variant is the vaccine. Ensure that you get vaccinated if you are able and eligible, it’s worth the quick prick of a needle, and you get a free lollipop after if you’re lucky, as a ‘thank you’ for protecting the community.

Clinics are available across the Wellington region. If you’re on campus and need your booster—head to student health right now for a walk-in. Getting vaccinated is quick, free, and easy; vaccinators can answer any questions you may have. I’m scared of needles, so I had to bring a plush dog to help me through the vaccine—do what you’ve got to do. Contrary to my expectation, no one laughed at me when I, a 20-year-old, fully-grown woman, brought my plush dog with me to help ease the needle anxiety.

Be prepared to study from home if you need to; Zoom University is back in session. The university laptop loan scheme can provide laptops to students experiencing financial hardship who need to study from home. Student Learning Te Taiako has set up online modules which can be found on the Victoria University of Wellington website to help students adjust to virtual study.

Make your study space comfortable—I have a couple cheap fake plants and a mini fridge full of energy drinks to keep me company. If you’re going to be isolating, try to make yourself feel more at home, it’ll be more comfortable.

Put together a kit to help yourself and those who you live with in case you have to isolate. Grab some tissues, soap, hand sanitiser, masks, gloves, cleaning products, ibuprofen, paracetamol, cough medicine, and throat lozenges. It can also be a good idea to include a list of people who you can reach out to in times of stress.

Isolation can get boring, so make sure you have enough things to keep yourself busy and happy: board games, exercise gear, books, video games, art supplies, and lego sets. Keep yourself entertained while being safe. Your bedroom is your oyster, and the world will be once you’ve finished your isolation period.

Don’t stress. I mean it. Take a deep breath, relax your shoulders, and have a drink of water. Work and Income are able to help with financial struggles. The Wellington Student Volunteer Army is able to drop off essential supplies, including medicine and food, if you’re isolating. Mental health services such as the support line 1737 are available 24/7 for free, so don’t hesitate to reach out if you need help.

Symptoms of Omicron

According to the Ministry of Health, the Omicron variant comes with flu-like symptoms such as a runny nose, sore throat, headache, fatigue, coughing, and sneezing. Other less common symptoms include muscle aches, nausea, and chest pain. Monitor yourself for symptoms and try not to stress! I had a covid-scare last week, and worrying about it made my headache even more excruciating.

The Wellington region has a number of testing centres, with drive-through testing and walk-ins available. Those who are symptomatic should get a test and isolate until the results come through.

Positive cases will be notified via text. It usually takes between 24 to 48 hours for PCR test results to arrive, but now that rapid antigen tests are being rolled out, you can get results within 15 easy minutes—only one and a half listens to Taylor’s Version of “All Too Well.”

The ‘F’ Word: Flatting

Aotearoa is currently in phase three of the Omicron community response. Under this phase, if a person tests positive for Covid-19, all high-risk household contacts are required to be tested. Essentially, if you test positive, your flatties need to get tested too, and vice versa.

If you test positive, you are required to isolate for ten days. If your flatmate tests positive, you have to self-isolate and get a test on day three and day ten of their isolation period.

Cases living in apartments are suggested to open windows and doors to a balcony to improve air flow, yet they are not permitted to be on the balcony if other residents are nearby.

With everyone in a flat isolating, it may be difficult to get essential items as no one is permitted to leave the flat unless there is an emergency or to exercise safely in the garden. The Ministry of Health suggests asking friends or whānau to shop on your behalf for essential items, such as food or medicine, which can then be dropped off at a safe distance. Don’t overlook contactless food delivery, it can be a godsend.

What about Halls?

It is a requirement to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 in order to live in a hall environment.

Residents are strongly encouraged to wear a face mask in hall common areas including lifts, common rooms, and office areas. Residents are expected to adhere to social distancing guidelines.

Meal times may be staggered by floor to adhere to the 100-person gathering limit. If you are unable to make your scheduled meal time, you can order late food from the Food4Me app. 

Residents have been advised that their meals can be safely delivered to their rooms if they are required to isolate.

Positive cases must use the designated ‘isolation bathroom,’ and have been told to make a list of people they have been in close contact with, advising those on it to get tested.

Residents have also been advised that halls are sanitised to prevent the spread of Covid-19 infections. Residents have been reassured that halls are “cleaned to a high commercial standard.”

In addition, halls will provide residents with “medical grade sanitising wipes that should be used between each use in the bathrooms,” to prevent further spread of the virus.