Southern District Health Board (SDHB) has now confirmed 2 positive cases of COVID-19 in Invercargill and Gore. 

Both cases are currently isolating at their respective homes and at this stage the COVID-19 variant has not been confirmed. Both had recently visited the Queenstown area. 

If any locations of interest are identified they will be published on the Ministry of Health website: https://covid19.govt.nz/testing-and-tracing/locations-of-interest/ 

If you live in, or have visited, the Invercargill or Gore area recently please check this list. It is updated regularly. 

The SDHB asks anyone with cold or flu like symptoms, no matter how mild, to get tested for COVID-19 and isolate at home until a negative test result is returned. This includes anyone who is vaccinated. 

The most common early symptoms of the Omicron variant is a sore or scratchy throat, and a runny nose. If you have these symptoms, please get tested as soon as possible. 

These cases will be counted in today's Ministry of Health case numbers. 

Investigation into the source of this case is ongoing. 

Testing locations

Testing is available throughout the Southern district. Get tested if you have cold or flu like symptoms, even if they are mild, or if you have been at a location of interest. Stay home or at your accommodation until you return a negative COVID-19 test result, and you are symptom free.

Covid-19 testing in free.

Testing is available throughout the Southern district at many general practices. Please do not go to your general practice, after-hours/urgent care provider, or local emergency department if you need a COVID-19 test. Please call your GP first or the Southern Health phone number: 0800 VIRUS19 (0800 847 8719)

You can find regional specific information about general practices offering testing on the WellSouth website: https://wellsouth.nz/community/covid-19/ 

Walk in and drive through testing is also available at the following sites. 

Invercargill

Invercargill Awarua Whānau Services and WellSouth Covid Community Testing Centre

Drive Through/Walk In - No Appointment Required

11am to 5pm 

Newfield Tavern, Invercargill

Car park at the rear, entrance off Regent Street 

For more information please visit the WellSouth website https://wellsouth.nz/community/covid-19/ or call 0800 VIRUS19 (0800 847 8719)

If you are eligible, get your booster

The discovery of COVID-19 in another area in the Southern district increases the need for people who are eligible to go and get their booster shots.

Anyone over the age of 18, who received their last primary dose of the COVID-19 vaccination more than 3 months ago, is now eligible. 

Remember: 2 doses for Delta, 3 for Omicron.

Protect what you love and get boosted Southern!