There are now 69 confirmed and one probably case of COVID-19 in the Southern District Health Board catchment – 11 of them in Southland, Invercargill and Gore.

For the first time Southern DHB, which covers the area south of the Waitaki River, has released more specific locations of those affected. The cases are identified by local council area only. The DHB says that, in order to protect patient privacy, more specific locations will not be disclosed while case numbers are low in a territorial authority area.

The southern cases, by council area are:

• Invercargill – 8
• Southland – 2
• Gore – 1
• Queenstown-Lakes – 24
• Central Otago – 5
• Clutha – 3
• Dunedin – 25
• Waimate – 1

The Southern region has the second highest number of COVID-19 cases in New Zealand. Of the 69 cases, 36 are men and 33 women. Most Southern cases are directly linked to international travel, the World Hereford Conference and the Wanaka A&P Show. Nationwide, 17 confirmed and two probable cases have been linked to the Hereford conference. One Southern case is in Dunedin Hospital in a designated COVID-19 ward.

The number of confirmed and probable cases in New Zealand now stands at 514. One person has died. Nine people are currently in hospital. Fifty-six people are confirmed to have recovered from the virus.

The World Health Organisation reported overnight there were 571,678 confirmed cases around the globe (62,514 in the previous 24 hours). Worldwide, 26,494 people have died from COVID-19 (3159 in the previous 24 hours).

The Southern DHB has reiterated its advice that anyone who has developed symptoms suggestive of COVID-19, such as cough, fever or difficult breathing, should contact Healthline on 0800 358 5453, their local Community Based Assessment Centres (CBACs), or their family GP as they may need testing.

However, people are reminded that CBAs are not drop-in centres and will not accept walk-ins. Patients must phone ahead for assessment.

The steps for getting tested are:

1. Call your GP, Healthline or your local CBAC for assessment by a medical expert over the phone.
2. If you meet case criteria during your phone assessment, you will be referred to a CBAC for testing

CBACs are now open 9am-5pm daily in Invercargill, Dunedin and Queenstown. Designated general practices are set up for COVID-19 testing in areas that don’t have a CBAC in operation.

Dunedin CBAC: 398 Cumberland Street, Dunedin Phone: 022 001 7624

Invercargill CBAC: 40 Clyde Street, Invercargill Phone: 022 010 4598

Queenstown CBAC: 1/719 Gibbston Highway, Frankton Lake Hayes Phone: 022 010 3860 

The Southern DHB continues to remind the public that the best way they can help with the COVID-19 response is to:

• Keep two metres physical distance from others
• Stay home to avoid exposure to illness
• Practice good personal hygiene and cleaning practices

“Again, we call upon the community to provide support to and respect the privacy of the affected people, and we thank everyone who for cooperating with requests to self-isolate.”