Eleven Southland Hospital staff are self-isolating after a patient who was admitted to hospital last week needing surgery did not disclose symptoms of COVID-19 until after the surgery and they had shared a room with two other people.

Two other hospital staff are considered casual contacts.

The other two patients have tested negative for COVID-19 but are still in 14 days' isolation.

The Southern District Health Board has assisted three of the affected staff with accommodation.

Southland Hospital EOC Controller Jo McLeod stressed the importance of people advising of COVID-19 symptoms when they were being admitted to hospital, so precautions could be taken to safeguard hospital staff and other patients.

"We just want to reinforce that it is very important for patients to disclose any symptoms that they may have, even if they don’t seem serious or significant at the time. This means that we can ensure that they are cared for in the right place, with the right equipment, protecting them, their families and our staff,” she said.

“Our thoughts are with the patient and we understand this has been a very difficult situation."

Southern DHB is assuring people:

• You will receive treatment whether you are COVID positive or not;
• It is vital you disclose any symptoms to enable staff to don PPE to keep everyone safe;
• Non-disclosure can have a significant impact on health services as staff must stand down for 14 days.

Public Health staff have been managing the situation and no details about the patient will be disclosed for reasons of privacy.