The Southland District Health Board (SDHB) has further strengthened its protocols around hospital entry, as local cases of COVID-19 rise to 72.

Changes include:

• All patients and staff involved in planned hospital care (elective operations and procedures) to have had a COVID-19 test 48-72 hours prior to surgery.
• Visitors are required to wear medical masks and other PPE as required. Visitors with mask exemptions are not able to enter our hospitals. 
• Patients in the wards may have a maximum of two registered visitors during their entire admission. Only one of the registered visitors may visit each day. Exceptions may be made in time-sensitive palliative care situations and or when people need interpreters or other equity-related support. 
• One support person, who has been screened and approved by the relevant area, may attend outpatient appointments and ambulatory care (walk-ins). 
• Maternity services: Where there is no suspicion of COVID-19 contact or symptoms for either the patient or support person, one key support person (one partner OR one birthing partner) can accompany patients into the assessment room and birthing suite.

For more information visit the Southern Health website. 

Current Cases in the SDHB

There are now 72 active COVID-19 cases in the SDHB district today (15 February) and 450 close contacts.

As of 1pm Tuesday 15th February there are 450 close contacts isolating throughout the Southern district. 332 of these are in the Queenstown-Lakes district.