SDHB COVID-19 Daily Update 10 March 2022

We have implemented this daily COVID-19 media release to update case numbers and inform the media and public of the situation across the Southern region.  

Key Messages 

• Please only get tested if you have symptoms or are a household contact of a confirmed case. We need to ensure those who are symptomatic, or a household contact, get access to testing. 

• 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. This service is available from 8am – 8pm daily.  

• 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. 

• Make sure you and your family have a plan to self-isolate or care for vulnerable family members in case this is needed. Start to have these conversations now – before you need to have them.  

Visiting loved ones in aged residential care facilities 
As the Omicron outbreak spreads in the Southern district many aged residential care facilities are having staff test positive and some are finding COVID-19 infection amongst residents.  

All aged residential care facilities who have staff and/or residents affected by COVID-19 have contacted family, whānau and loved ones of their respective residents to inform them of what is happening in their facilities. 

Some aged residential care facilities have closed to visitors in the short term as a precaution to protect their vulnerable residents. If you have a loved one in an aged residential care facility and are unsure if you can visit them, please phone the facility in question. All staff at these facilities are putting the care and safety of their residents at the forefront of all that they do. They will be more than happy to speak to you and advise you of any safety measures they have put in place.  

People who are able to visit loved ones at an aged residential care facility are likely to find the following precautions in place: 

• Strict enforcement of surgical-grade mask wearing at all times  

• Strict enforcement of hand hygiene measures 

• Physical distancing being observed 

Individual care facilities may have further visiting rules in place. Please check with the facility before visiting.  

People wanting to visit loved ones are also asked not to if they are feeling unwell, have cold or flu-like symptoms, are household or close contacts of a positive case, or have tested positive themselves and are still in their isolation period. 

The Southern DHB and Public Health South continue to support aged residential care facilities throughout the Southern district.  

Reduction in isolation period 
As of 11.59 pm Friday 11 March the isolation period for COVID-19 cases and household contacts will reduce from 10 days to 7 days.  

Household contacts will need to have a rapid antigen test (RAT) on day 3 and day 7. If they become symptomatic during their 7-day isolation period, they will need an immediate RAT. If a household contact does not get any symptoms, they will need to return a negative rapid antigen test on day 7 at the end of their 7-day isolation period. If the household contact becomes a case, they will then start their 7 days of isolation as a case. 

If you are a household contact you can request RATs on behalf of all members of your household.  You can request RATs here. There are now 48 collection sites across the Southern district. 

To register your COVID-19 test result, go here or call 0800 222 478, press option 3, between 8am – 8pm daily.  

Hospitalisation figures 

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. 

The Ministry of Health total figures for Southern for the previous 24 hours are: 

• 918 new positive cases  

• 11267 total cases (last 90 days)  

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.  

Testing locations can be found on the WellSouth website. 

If you have any questions about COVID-19, self-isolation, or what you need to do if you test positive, please call Healthline on 0800 358 5453.

If you are self-isolating and require welfare support such as help getting groceries, please call 0800 512 337. 

For information specific to COVID-19 in the Southern region and to find your nearest testing centre please call WellSouth on 0800 VIRUS19 (0800 847 8719) 

If you have concerns about COVID-19 symptoms, please call your general practice or Healthline on 0800 358 5453 at any time. If you are very unwell or having breathing difficulties, please call 111 immediately.  

Key media contacts 

• For questions about COVID-19 case numbers and vaccination, contact SDHB: communications@southerndhb.govt.nz  

• For questions about COVID-19 testing and case monitoring in the community, contact WellSouth: communications@wellsouth.org.nz