As southern COVID-19 cases top 10,000 and 8 people have been hospitalised, a new initiative has been launched to help easy the work load on the south's health care workers.

Southern Heros, is a scheme that will see local volunteers filling a range of jobs usually carried out by health workers.

They may include food and supplies deliveries, supporting DHB staff childcare facilities and manning call centres.

Individuals who think they can help should contact Volunteer South at https://volunteersouth.org.nz/volunteers/emergency-volunteering by business or community groups should sign up at https://southernheroes.nz/.

The scheme is led by Business South in collaboration with the Southland, Queenstown and Wanaka Chambers of Commerce, along with Volunteer South.

Key Messages from Southern DHB

• 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, option 3, if you need any support to do this. This service is available from 8am – 8pm daily.  
•  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. Please be aware that, after filling in your My Covid Record with your positive RAT result, there can be a 24-hour delay before you receive this text message. 
•  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.  

Reduction in isolation period 

As of 11.59 pm Friday 11 March the isolation period for COVID-19 cases and household contacts will reduce from 10 days to 7 days.  

Household contacts will need to have a rapid antigen test (RAT) on day 3 and day 7. If they become symptomatic during their 7-day isolation period, they will need an immediate RAT. If a household contact does not get any symptoms, they will need to return a negative rapid antigen test on day 7 at the end of their 7-day isolation period. If the household contact becomes a case, they will then start their 7 days of isolation as a case. 

If you are a household contact you can request RATs on behalf of all members of your household. You can request RATs at www.requestrats.covid19.health.nz There are now 48 collection sites across the Southern district. 

To register your COVID-19 test result visit https://mycovidrecord.health.nz/ or call 0800 222 478, press option 3, between 8am – 8pm daily.  

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 

Hospitalisation figures 

There are currently 8 people with COVID-19 in hospital, 7 are in Dunedin and 1 in Southland, as at 5pm 08 March 2022. None are in ICU/HDU or being ventilated

Please note that hospitalisation data does not differentiate between patients admitted because of COVID-19 infection versus those admitted for a separate reason who happen to also have COVID-19. 

The Ministry of Health total figures for Southern for the previous 24 hours are: 

• 835 new positive cases  

• 10323 total cases (last 90 days)  

Testing locations can be found on the WellSouth website. 

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

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.