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Key Messages from Southern DHB

• If you haven't gone to get your booster vaccination yet, get it now. It takes about two weeks after vaccination for the body to build full protection against COVID-19, so the time to act is now. 
• If you test positive on a RAT test you do not need to have that confirmed by PCR – you are a case. Please update your My COVID Record with your result. Call 0800 222 478, option 3, if you need any support to do this. This service is available from 8am – 8pm daily.  
• If you receive a text notification that you are positive, please do the online survey in the link you receive in the text message as soon as possible. This will ensure you can receive the appropriate care and support when you need it. Please be aware that, after filling in your My COVID Record with your positive RAT result, there can be a 24-hour delay before you receive this text message. 
• Make sure you and your family have a plan to self-isolate or care for vulnerable family members in case this is needed. Start to have these conversations now – before you need to have them.  

The situation in Southern 

At 11.59pm Friday 25 March a new simplified traffic light system is being introduced as a result of falling numbers across the whole of New Zealand. This fall in numbers is primarily being driven by the Auckland region having reached its Omicron peak. The South Island, including the Southern district has not reached its Omicron peak yet.  

Modelling predicts that we may still not have reached our peak in the Southern district and there is the potential that our case numbers could continue at around current levels for a short while yet. 

The Southern Health system wants to highlight to the public that now is not the time to get complacent regarding public health measures. It is more important than ever to continue to wear a mask in public, follow good hand hygiene, practice physical distancing and, if feeling sick, get tested and isolate at home until you receive a negative test result.  

If you haven't yet gone to get your booster dose, now is the time to get it. Don't be complacent. Even though restrictions are being loosened, COVID-19 and Omicron are still very real viruses. The best way to protect yourself and your whānau is to get vaccinated and boosted.  

Communities throughout the Southern district have pulled together in our collective effort to protect our families, communities and loved ones from COVID-19. We still have vulnerable people in our communities who could suffer adverse effects because of COVID-19 infection. When you are out and about in our beautiful district please think of these people and wear a mask and stay home if you have symptoms, have tested positive for COVID-19 or are a household contact of a positive case. By continuing to work together we can all continue to protect our most vulnerable.  

Hospitalisation figures 

Current hospitalisations as at 8am 25 March 2022  

13 COVID-19 active inpatients are currently in Dunedin Hospital, while 7 are in Southland Hospital and 1 in Lakes District Hospital.

Please note that hospitalisation data does not differentiate between patients admitted because of COVID-19 infection versus those admitted for a separate reason who happen to also have COVID-19. 

The Ministry of Health total figures for Southern for the previous 24 hours are: 

• 1245 new positive cases  

• 8807 (not recovered from last 7 days)  

Testing locations can be found on the WellSouth website.  

If you have any questions about COVID-19, self-isolation, or what you need to do if you test positive, please call Healthline on 0800 358 5453. 

If you are self-isolating and require welfare support such as help getting groceries, please call 0800 512 337.  

For help accessing COVID-19 testing in the Southern region and to find your nearest testing center please call the WellSouth call center on 0800 VIRUS19 (0800 847 8719).  

If you have concerns about COVID-19 symptoms, please call your general practice or Healthline on 0800 358 5453 at any time. If you are very unwell or having breathing difficulties, please call 111 immediately.