Covid in the South: 32 people in hospital with the virus

Health officials have reported a further 1,089 community cases in the Southern region today, as the number of people in local hospitals rises.

In its daily media update, the Southern District Health Board has said there are 32 people in hospital with the virus in the South - 21 in Dunedin, 10 in Invercargill and one in Queenstown.

There are 145 new reported cases in Queenstown Lakes, and 89 in Central Otago, it says.

However, the district health board says with the responsibility on individuals to self-report positive Covid-19 test results, the region's official tally of cases may not reflect the reality of community transmission.

"Recent wastewater testing throughout the Southern district has shown that we are highly likely to have many more cases than are currently being reported."

Despite a move in Covid-19 traffic light alert levels from red to orange across the country last night, the district health board says Covid-19 is still a concern in this area, and it's repeating its call for a cautious community approach ahead of the holiday weekend.

"The Southern district has not yet reached a point in our outbreak where our community is safe from widespread community transmission" its statement says.

Dr Hywel Lloyd, the board's Covid-19 response lead, says the health system in Central Otago is stretched because of Covid-19 related staff absences, and now an influx of visitors is expected.

“It is now up to us, as a community, to make decisions that protect our loved ones and the vulnerable members of our society. The easiest and best way to do this is to make the decision to continue to wear a mask, just like we have been under the red traffic light settings.

“Wearing a mask, wearing it properly, and practicing physical distancing, as well as being fully vaccinated and boosted, is the best defence we all have against catching Covid-19 and stopping the spread of it to our loved ones.”   

Current hospitalisations as at 8am, April 14, 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. 

Current cases as of 11.59pm, April 13, 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.  

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.