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Key Messages from Southern DHB

• At 11.59 pm on Thursday 24 February New Zealand moved to phase 3 of our Omicron response. Please visit the Ministry of Health website for more information about the phase 3 response.  
• Please only get tested if you have symptoms or are a household contact of a confirmed case. We need to ensure those who are symptomatic, or a household contact, get access to testing.  
• 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 if you need any support to do that.  
• 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.   
• There are high numbers of COVID-19 positive people in Southern. Please be vigilant when out in the community. COVID-19 is widespread, and we all run the risk of being exposed.  
• 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.  

Locations of Interest under phase three  

The below information has been taken directly from the Ministry of Health website. For more information about locations of interest and phase three please visit the Ministry of Health website directly.  

• In Omicron Phase 3, the Ministry of Health will not publish new locations of interest. 
• Case investigations will instead be focused on high-risk exposures and Household Contacts 
• If someone in your household tests positive, they should tell you. 
• Many people who test positive will complete a self-investigation tool online — this tool may notify you if they said you are a contact. 
• If you are a high-risk contact, contact-tracing teams may get in touch with you. An example of a high-risk contact is someone who visited a hospital or aged care facility. 
• If you have any symptoms call Healthline on 0800 358 5453 24 hours a day, seven days a week, or talk to your local health provider to see if you need a test. 
• Using the NZ COVID Tracer app is still important. It is a digital diary of where you have been, and will help you identify who you need to tell if you test positive for COVID-19. Even if your contacts do not have to legally isolate, they should still be given the information so they can make decisions for themselves. 
• You should also keep your Bluetooth on. Notifications will still be sent out to people who have been near someone with COVID-19. 
• Wherever possible notifications are sent through the NZ COVID Tracer and Rippl apps to people who have scanned into public locations of interest. 

Family and whānau support – does your family have a plan?   

If a member of your family gets diagnosed with COVID-19, are you ready and prepared to isolate at home for 10 days or more? If a vulnerable member of your family needs in-home support and due to staff sickness there isn't anyone available to care for them, do you have a plan in place to support them for a few days?  

Now is the time to have these discussions with your family, whānau, friends and support networks. Don't wait till you or someone you care about is unwell or requiring immediate support. Talk with your community, support workers, family and neighbours now.  

Together we can all help each other to stay safe, healthy and supported in our communities. 

For more information about preparing and staying safe please visit the Unite against COVID-19 website: Prepare and stay safe | Unite against COVID-19 (covid19.govt.nz) 

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 well fare support such as help getting groceries, please call 0800 512 337 

Please note, the Ministry of Health’s daily reported cases may differ slightly from those reported at a DHB or local public health unit level. This is because of different reporting cut off times and the assignment of cases between regions, for example when a case is tested outside their usual region of residence. Total numbers will always be the formal daily case tally as reported to the WHO. 

With the introduction of RAT testing, comparison of Southern case figures to Ministry of Health case figures may become less reliable. 

A decision has been made nationally that areas with less than 5 new cases per 24 hour period will be reported as “<5”. We are unable to supply further information. Please contact the Ministry of Health directly for more information about this decision.  

Testing locations can be found on the WellSouth website. 

For information specific to COVID-19 in the Southern region and to find your nearest testing centre please call WellSouth 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.