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Key Messages from Southern DHB

• Supported isolation quarantine (SIQ) is reserved for people in exceptional circumstances who cannot isolate safely at their place of residence. It is not an accommodation service for travellers who test positive for COVID-19 while in the Southern region.  
• 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. 
• 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.  

Supported Isolation Quarantine (SIQ) in the Southern District   

As COVID-19 restrictions ease and people travel across New Zealand, the Southern district is beginning to see a rise in the demand for supported isolation (SIQ) facilities for tourists who test positive in our area.  

SIQ is a limited resource that is designed to provide members of our community who test positive for COVID-19, a safe place to isolate if they are unable to do so at their normal place of residence. SIQ is not a resource for travellers who test positive for COVID-19 while visiting our region.  

“Travellers who test positive for COVID-19 while visiting the Southern district will be required to self-fund their 7-day isolation period,” says Dr Hywel Lloyd, SDHB COVID-19 response lead. “People who choose to travel must take responsibility for themselves and travel at their own risk. Welfare assistance will of course be offered if it is needed.”  

It is highly recommended that anyone who chooses to travel should budget for a potential 7-day isolation period or take out travel insurance that covers COVID-19. 

Hospitalisation figures 

Current hospitalisations as at 8am 29 March 2022  

Dunedin hospital had 16 inpatients with COVID-19 and Southland hospital had 8 inpatients. No inpatients were in ICU/HDU or being ventilated

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

• 1404 new positive cases  

• 8585 (not recovered from last 7 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 help accessing COVID-19 testing in the Southern region and to find your nearest testing center please call the WellSouth call center 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.