289 new cases for Q'town, 85 for Central

Health officials say the Southern region has not reached peak Omicron yet.

The Southern District Health Board is reporting 1,459 new positive cases of the virus today, with 289 of them in Queenstown-Lakes and 85 in Central Otago.

It brings the total number of active cases in the South to 8,448 – there are 1,650 active cases in Queenstown-Lakes and 415 in Central Otago.

Current cases as of 11.59pm, March 23 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.  

A total 22 people are in hospital with the virus – 16 in Dunedin and six in Invercargill.

Up until yesterday, the SDHB had reported one person in hospital in Queenstown with the virus.

Current hospitalisations as at 8am, March 24 2022 (Source SDHB) 

Despite case numbers having reached a peak in Auckland and some other parts of the country, the South Island, including the Southern region, has not reached its Omicron peak yet, the SDHB says.

“It is more important than ever to continue to wear a mask in public, follow good hand hygiene, practice physical distancing and, if feeling sick, get tested and isolate at home until you receive a negative test result.  

“If you haven't yet gone to get your booster dose, now is the time to get it.

“Don't be complacent.

“Even though restrictions are being loosened, Covid-19 and Omicron are still very real viruses.

“The best way to protect yourself and your whānau is to get vaccinated and boosted.”

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.