208 new cases in Q'town, 76 in Central Otago

Health officials are reporting 1,245 new community cases of Covid-19 in the Southern region today.

In Queenstown-Lakes the figure is 208, and in Central Otago, 76.

It brings the total number of active cases in the last seven day to 8,807, with 1,683 of them in Queenstown-Lakes and 448, Central Otago.

There are 21 people in hospital in the Southern region with the virus – 13 of them are in Dunedin, seven in Invercargill and one in Queenstown.

In a statement today, the Southern District Health continues to remind Southerners not to be complacent, despite a national loosening of Covid-19 restrictions.

At 11.59pm tonight (Friday, March 25) a new simplified traffic light system is being introduced as a result of falling numbers across the whole of New Zealand.

"This fall in numbers is primarily being driven by the Auckland region having reached its Omicron peak," the SDHB says.

"The South Island, including the Southern district has not reached its Omicron peak yet.

"We still have vulnerable people in our communities who could suffer adverse effects because of Covid-19 infection.

"When you are out and about in our beautiful district please think of these people and wear a mask and stay home if you have symptoms, have tested positive for Covid-19 or are a household contact of a positive case.

"By continuing to work together we can all continue to protect our most vulnerable."

Current cases as of 11.59pm, March 24, 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. A decision has been made nationally that areas with less than 5 new cases per 24-hour period will be reported as “<5”. All territorial authorities with less than 100 cases will have their case numbers rounded to the nearest 5. We are unable to supply further information. Please contact the Ministry of Health directly for more information about these decisions.  

There are 21 people in hospital in the Southern region with the virus – 13 of them are in Dunedin, seven in Invercargill and one in Queenstown.

Current hospitalisations as at 8am, March 25, 2022 (Source SDHB)  

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. 

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.