Hospitalisation high as Covid spreads in South's older population

The number of people in Southern hospitals with Covid-19 remains high as local health officials say the virus is spreading among an older population.

The Southern District Health Board is reporting 39 people in hospital with the virus.

There are 27 in hospital in Dunedin, eight in Invercargill, and two each in Queenstown and Clyde, the SDHB says in its daily update to media.

Current hospitalisations as at 8am, April 29, 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. Hospital numbers reported by the Southern DHB include those in mental health wards.   

"Covid-19 hospitalisations remain high across the Southern district as the virus has spread into our older population," the SDHB statement says.

"Those over the age of 65 have a higher chance of complications as a result of Covid-19 infection and thus a higher likelihood of requiring hospitalisation.

"The Southern DHB encourages anyone in this age group to get boosted if they have not yet done so. A booster dose is your best defence against Covid-19 hospitalisation."

The SDHB is also reminding people to consider an annual flu inoculation now.

"Many people end up in hospital because of seasonal flu and it is now more important than ever that we keep the stress off our hospitals by doing all we can to stay healthy and well."

Across the region, there are 888 new positive cases of Covid-19 reported in the community - 134 in Queenstown-Lakes and 58 in Central Otago.

It's down from yesterday's 1,065 new reported cases.

It brings the number of active cases in the region over the last seven days to 6,453.

Current cases as of 11.59pm, April 28, 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. 

In its daily Covid-19 update, the Ministry of Health says 14 more people have died with the virus - one of them in the Southern region - taking the total number of reported deaths to 737.

Across the country there are 8,242 new community cases, bringing today's seven-day rolling average of case numbers to 7,540, down from last week's 8,166.

There are 480 people in hospital with the virus, slightly down from 484 yesterday, with the number of people in ICU unchanged at 15.

In addition to the South's 888, today's new community cases are in Northland (233), Auckland (2446), Waikato (483), Bay of Plenty (265), Lakes (143), Hawke's Bay (283), MidCentral (313), Whanganui (118), Taranaki (184), Tairāwhiti (68), Wairarapa (78), Capital and Coast (542), Hutt Valley (196), Nelson Marlborough (284), Canterbury (1462), South Canterbury (150), and West Coast (103).

There have also been 74 new cases identified at the border.

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.