There are now “fewer than five” people recorded as close Covid-19 contacts on the national contact tracing system for the Southern region, Southern District Health Board (SDHB) medical officer of health Dr Michael Butchard said yesterday evening (Wednesday September 1).

At the peak, there were around 140 people recorded as close contacts in Southern, but most have now completed their 14 day isolation period.

"Public Health South continues to support the national Covid-19 response, and contact tracers are managing around 100 close contacts who are either currently or have been symptomatic since being at a location of interest,” Michael said.

Most of these close contacts are in Auckland and coming to the end of their 14 day isolation period.

Southern District vaccine coverage as of Wednesday September 1. IMAGE: Supplied

The Southern Covid-19 vaccination programme has delivered 276,588 doses of the vaccine to date, 90,417 of which were second doses, Southern Covid-19 vaccine programme lead Hamish Brown said.

“Across the district, 61.1 per cent of the population over 12 years has received at least one dose and 29.6 per cent are fully vaccinated.”

 From yesterday, everyone aged 12 and over can book their Covid-19 vaccine. To book, visit here or call 0800 28 29 26.

The SDHB has launched a video with Dunedin’s Highlanders rugby team “to invite everyone to join the team against Covid-19”, Hamish said.

The SDHB warned people that text appointment reminders are not currently going out. 

“If you have an appointment booked, please check your booking confirmation and cancel or amend your booking if you can no longer make the appointment. This helps us know where there are available appointments across the district and ensure others don't miss out on the chance to get vaccinated sooner,” Hamish said.

And yesterday more than 179 Covid-19 tests were taken by WellSouth staff and general practices around the district, Michael said.