189 new cases in Q'town, 35 in Central

Health officials are reporting 189 new cases of Covid-19 in Queenstown Lakes today and 35 in Central Otago, as a person in an aged-care facility in the Southern region is reported to have died with the virus.

There are 12 people in hospital with the virus in the region - eight in Dunedin and four in Invercargill.

Across the South, there are 877 new cases, bringing the total number of active cases in the region to 12,15.

The total number of active cases in Queenstown Lakes is 2,283 and in Central Otago, 350.

Current cases as of 11.59pm, March 10, 2022 (Source SDHB) 

 
Please note, the Ministry of Health’s daily reported cases may differ slightly from those reported at a DHB or local public health unit level. This is because of different reporting cut off times and the assignment of cases between regions, for example when a case is tested outside their usual region of residence. Total numbers will always be the formal daily case tally as reported to the WHO. Due to the increased use of RATs and system lag issues there may be a discrepancy in the number of total active cases from the territorial authority breakdown. 

The Southern District Health Board says the family of the person has requested privacy, and it will not be commenting further. 

People wanting to visit aged-care facilities across the region are advised to ring ahead.

“As the Omicron outbreak spreads in the Southern district many aged residential care facilities are having staff test positive and some are finding Covid-19 infection amongst residents.  

“Some aged residential care facilities have closed to visitors in the short term as a precaution to protect their vulnerable residents.”

Facilities that are open are strictly enforcing surgical mask wearing, hand hygiene measure and physical distancing, it says.

Covid-19 in the South - What you need to know:

• Please only get tested if you have symptoms or are a household contact of a confirmed case.
• Testing locations can be found on the WellSouth website.
• 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.

• 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. 

• Prepare now to self-isolate if you or a family member or housemate tests positive.
• If you are self-isolating and require welfare support such as help getting groceries, please call 0800 512 337.
• If you have concerns about Covid-19 symptoms, call your general practice or Healthline on 0800 358 5453 at any time. If you are very unwell or having breathing difficulties, call 111 immediately.