Rapid antigen tests (RATs) available across the district, most collection sites in the country

Southerners have more options for accessing rapid antigen tests than anywhere else in the country, with collection sites throughout the district.

From Stewart Island to Oamaru, there are 50 locations across Southland and Otago where residents can pick up pre-requested RAT tests.

“To no one’s surprise, pharmacies, general practices and other agencies in Southern are going out of their way to do their part helping people access Covid RAT tests. We are very grateful they have taken on this extra responsibility to help their communities and whānau,” says WellSouth Director of Nursing, Wendy Findlay. “We also appreciate that so many people in the community are getting tested when they have symptoms.”

Andrew Swanson-Dobbs, WellSouth CEO says creating the network of collection sites and supporting the distribution of the RAT testing kits has been in the works for months: “This has been a big piece of work that’s been going on in the background while our testing teams have also been supporting and delivering PCR testing in the community. Having testing as accessible as possible is important for helping detect the virus and reduce its spread. Health providers in the region will continue to do all we can to help in the Omicron response.”

About Rapid Antigen Testing

At Phase 3 of the Omicron response, rapid antigen tests are the primary method of testing for the virus in the community.

Anyone who has Covid symptoms, and the household contacts of a Covid positive case, can order rapid antigen testing (RATs) through the Ministry of Health’s RAT requester website or by ringing 0800 222 478 (option 3).
An order number is provided for the collection of the RAT. Enough RATs will be provided for the individual ordering and their household to take three tests.  Collection sites are available on HealthPoint.

Please be certain to check the collections times at the collection site.

When should you request rapid antigen testing? 

• If you are unwell - even with minor symptoms, a runny nose or slightly sore throat, get a COVID test. Even if it is negative, stay home until you are symptom-free.
• If a household member tests positive for COVID, isolate at home and get tested (Day 3 and Day 7 if you’re asymptomatic, and immediately if you develop symptoms).

PCR swabbing and supervised RAT testing is available through Community Based testing Centres and many general practices for healthcare workers, for individuals who cannot self-administer or register their own RAT tests and when public health or a hospital doctor has asked for PCR test -  for pre-admission, for example.

A PCR test is not required to confirm a positive RAT case. A positive RAT test is a positive COVID case.

For information on accessing testing in Southern see the WellSouth web site or call 0800 VIRUS19 (0800 847 8719).

Anyone who does not meet testing criteria (symptomatic or a household contact of a COVID positive case) can purchase tests at some pharmacies and some retail outlets if, for example, they want to take a test before visiting a relative. 

Report your RAT

It is important to register both negative and positive RAT results through My COVID Record or call 0800 222 478 and press option 3.  This helps monitor the size of Omicron’s spread and it is important to register your positive RAT result to ensure you have access to the appropriate care and support when you need it.

RAT Collection Sites as of 11 March.  Please check HealthPoint for the most up-to-date lists of locations and for Collection Hours

Dunedin + South Otago + West Otago

Antidote Gardens           Dunedin

Antidote Meridian          Dunedin

Antidote Macandrew     Dunedin

Antidote North                Dunedin

Antidote Octagon           Dunedin

Bates Pharmacy              Balclutha

Catlin Health and Gifts   Owaka

Green Island Boutique  Dunedin

Highland Pharmacy Depot           Lawrence

McNaughton’s Pharmacy Dunedin

Milton Pharmacy             Milton

Roslyn Pharmacy            Dunedin

Unichem Grays Pharmacy           Balclutha

Unichem Taieri Pharmacy           Mosgiel

WellSouth Community  Testing Centre, Malcolm St, Dunedin

West Otago Health                        Tapanui

Invercargill-Southland

Fiordland Pharmacy                     Te Anau

Glengarry Pharmacy                    Invercargill

Gore Health                                   Gore

Gore Medical Centre                    Gore

Life Pharmacy La Hood                Gore 

Lumsden Pharmacy                      Lumsden

Mataura Prescription & Gifts     Mataura

Milford Sound Tourism Centre   Te Anau

Stewart Island Health Centre      Stewart Island

Tokanui Medical Centre               Tokanui

Tuatapere Medical Centre           Tuatapere

Unichem Quinn’s Pharmacy        Gore

Unichem Southcity Pharmacy     Invercargill

Unichem Riverton Pharmacy       Riverton

WellSouth Invercargill                  Invercargill

Windsor Pharmacy                       Invercargill

Winton Pharmacy                          Winton

Wyndham Health Centre             Wyndham

Queenstown Lakes and Central Otago

Antidote Queenstown                  Queenstown

Five Mile Pharmacy                      Queenstown

HealthCentral                                 Alexandra

Highland Pharmacy                      Roxburgh

Lake Dunstan Pharmacy              Cromwell

Life Pharmacy Queenstown        Queenstown

Maniototo Pharmacy                    Ranfurly

Summerfields Pharmacy              Queenstown

Wanaka Pharmacy                        Wanaka

Wanaka Events Centre                  Wanaka - Until 15 March

WellSouth Alexandra                     Alexandra

North Otago + Waitaki

Kurow Medical Centre                  Kurow

East Otago Health                         Palmerston

Oamaru Pharmacy                        Oamaru

Unichem Northend Pharmacy    Oamaru North   Oamaru

Waihemo Pharmacy                     Palmerston

Media enquiries:
WellSouth Communications, communications@wellsouth.org.nz