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Key Messages from Southern DHB

• If you haven't gone to get your booster vaccination yet, get it now. It takes about two weeks after vaccination for the body to build full protection against COVID-19, so the time to act is now.
• 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.  

Get your booster vaccine  

The best way you can protect yourself, your family, whānau, and community from COVID-19 is to be fully vaccinated and boosted. If you are over 18, and had your 2nd vaccination at least three months ago, you should go and get your booster now.  

It takes about two weeks after vaccination for the body to build protection against COVID-19, so the time to act is now.  

As a district, Southern did a fantastic job of getting our two shots, which provided us with protection against the Delta variant. Now we need to do it again by getting our booster dose – because this is the best way to fight Omicron.  

The booster protects people against serious illness and decreases the need for hospitalisation, ICU care and the impacts of long COVID. For many people who have received their booster dose, Omicron symptoms will be mild. This is not necessarily the case for those who have not received their booster yet.  

Boosters help slow the spread of the virus so more of us can stay well. And that helps free up our hospitals for other people who need care. This includes people who don’t have COVID-19, but require care for other reasons. Boosters also help protect the more vulnerable members of our community, like our under-fives, immuno-suppressed, and people with underlying health conditions. If you have had your booster, you are less likely to infect other people in your whānau and the community.  

 If you haven’t received your first or second vaccination, we encourage you to do so to ensure you have full protection against Delta and to start building your protection against Omicron. 

The best way you can protect yourself, your whānau, and your community is by getting vaccinated, getting your booster shot if you are eligible and following public health guidelines: wear your mask, wash your hands, get tested if you are sick and stay home until you receive a negative test result.  

A full list of clinics currently offering vaccinations for 5–11-year-olds can be found at www.southernhealth.nz/COVID19/vaccine/children.  

A full list of clinics offering vaccinations for people aged 12 years and over can be found at https://www.southernhealth.nz/COVID19/clinics. 

Hospitalisation figures 

Current hospitalisations as of 8am 14 March 2022.

A total of 12 people remain in southern hospitrals with COVID-19, 8 in Dunedin and 4 in Southland. 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: 

• 795 new positive cases  
• 14,307 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 center 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.