Surge in daily Covid cases in Central Otago

Health officials are reporting 1,220 new cases of Covid-19 across the Southern region today, with 248 of them in Queenstown-Lakes and 90, Central Otago.

In Queenstown Lakes, there are now 2,069 active cases and in Central, 415.

It brings the total number of cases in the South in the last 90 days to 18,026.

There are 16 people in hospital with the virus – 11 in Dunedin, four in Invercargill and one in Queenstown.

One of those in hospital in Dunedin is in intensive care.

Current hospitalisations as at 8am, March 17, 2022 (Source SDHB)  

Current cases as of 11.59pm, March 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. 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. 

Data modellers are saying it’s probable New Zealand will experience two peaks in this latest community outbreak of the virus.

While there are strong signs case numbers may be peaking in Auckland, other regions are not there yet.

The SHDB has previously cautioned the accuracy of its reported case number figures, saying they need to be taken with a grain of salt as there will be both undetected and unreported community cases of Covid-19 in the south.

There’s no doubt the number of people in hospital in the Southern region with the virus is still rising – the SDHB started including hospitalisation rates in its daily media statement just over a week ago.

In that time, the number’s gone from eight to 16.

Here’s how the numbers of new cases reported by the SDHB in Queenstown-Lakes and Central Otago have been tracking in the last seven days.

In recent days there’s been a flattening off in new cases reported by the SDHB in Queenstown Lakes, while in Central Otago there’s been a sharp jump in new cases. 

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.