Central Otago records first case of Covid in latest outbreak

The Southern District Health Board has reported 35 new community cases of Covid-19 today and, for the first time in the latest outbreak, there’s a case in Central Otago.

There are 23 new cases in the Queenstown-Lakes, bringing the number of active cases in the Queenstown-Lakes to 123.

Across the whole Southern region there are 153 active community cases.

Current cases as of 11.59pm, February 16, 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. 

There's 350 close contacts isolating throughout the Southern district, and 228 of these are in the Queenstown-Lakes district.  

These figures have dropped from those reported yesterday by the SDHB.

Four new close contact locations in or around Queenstown have been added to the Ministry of Health’s alert list so far today, among them El Camino Cantina on Brecon Street and The Club on Church Lane.

The Queenstown businesses join a host of hospitality venues deemed locations of interest.

A SDHB media spokesperson says from yesterday text messages have started being used for contact tracing and self-isolation communication - and this will continue as part of the Omicron phase two response strategy.

“If you receive a text message, then please click on the link provided and fill your information into the form.

“This will put you into the system used by the Southern district and New Zealand, for monitoring and follow up.”

Main image: People queue for a Covid test at a drive-through testing centre in Frankton, Queenstown, Thursday, February 17, 2022.