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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.

Whole of New Zealand moves to COVID-19 traffic light setting orange  

At 11.59pm tonight the whole of New Zealand will move to alert level orange in the COVID-19 traffic light framework. The Southern DHB would like to remind our community that this decision has been made because of what is happening nationally and that the Southern district has not yet reached a point in our outbreak where our community is safe from widespread community transmission. 

“Cases continue to rise in parts of Southern, especially in Central Otago, where we are now seeing our steepest rise in cases, and where many people will be heading for a break this holiday weekend. We all love to enjoy what Central and Queenstown has to offer, but our health system is stretched because of COVID-19 related staff absence in Central Otago,” says Dr Hywel Lloyd, Southern DHB Covid-19 Response Lead. “We are also seeing a continuing rise in infections in our 65+ population and in those in the 40–50-year-old age group.”  

Recent wastewater testing throughout the Southern district has shown that we are highly likely to have many more cases than are currently being reported and that the self-reporting model has resulted in significant underreporting across the district.   

“It is now up to us, as a community, to make decisions that protect our loved ones and the vulnerable members of our society. The easiest and best way to do this is to make the decision to continue to wear a mask, just like we have been under the red traffic light settings,” says Dr Lloyd. “Wearing a mask, wearing it properly, and practicing physical distancing, as well as being fully vaccinated and boosted, is the best defence we all have against catching COVID-19 and stopping the spread of it to our loved ones.”   

The Southern DHB, and all members of the Southern Health system, urge all people in our community to continue to wear a mask when in public, especially when indoors. By continuing to wear a mask when in public, and wear it correctly, practise good hand hygiene, and stay home when you’re sick, we can all help slow the spread of COVID-19 and protect the people we care about.  

Hospitalisation figures

 Current hospitalisations as at 8am 12th April 2022 

There are currently 16 inpatients in Dunedin hospital (2 in ICU/HDU) and 8 in Southland hospital. No Covid-19 patients are currently being ventilated. 

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. 

 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.