SDHB COVID-19 Daily Update 31 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 

• Supported isolation quarantine (SIQ) is reserved for people in exceptional circumstances who cannot isolate safely at their place of residence. It is not an accommodation service for travellers who test positive for COVID-19 while in the Southern region.  

• If you haven't gone to get your booster vaccination yet, get it now. It takes about two weeks after vaccination for the body to build full protection against COVID-19, so the time to act is now. 

• 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.  

Note to media  
Please be aware that the Southern District Health Board communications team is dealing with an unprecedented number of media enquiries, and many of the staff whom we approach to provide detailed responses to your questions are working on the emergency response teams for Omicron. This is, understandably, the priority for them. We will do our best to get media responses back to you in a timely manner.  

COVID-19 Outbreak at Dunedin Public Hospital 
A visitor-to-patient COVID-19 infection has been discovered on ward 7c at Dunedin Public Hospital. Ward 7c has been shut to all visitors, and patients are undergoing PCR testing. The visitor was asymptomatic when they visited their loved one and the moment they developed symptoms they did the right thing: they stayed home and got tested immediately.  

As of 11am 31 March 2022 there are four confirmed COVID-19 cases in relation to this exposure event.  All confirmed cases were in the same four bed room and no staff have tested positive.  Surveillance testing will be ongoing for both staff and patients and there will be no further admissions to this ward at this time.  

Affected patients and their whānau are being kept informed of the situation. The Southern DHB apologise for the inconvenience to visitors and the patients of ward 7c, but the actions are necessary to maintain good infection and prevention control, and to minimise any further COVID-19 spread within the hospital. 

The Southern DHB would like to publicly thank our staff who continue to go above and beyond in their work to maintain patient safety for the people we care for during this difficult period.  

Why get Boosted? 
The Southern district did a great job of pulling together and getting double vaccinated. Over 97% of our community have now received a double dose of the COVID-19 vaccination. Currently 75% of those eligible for their booster dose have received it.  

If you received your second dose of the COVID-19 vaccination more than 3 months ago, and are over the age of 18, you are eligible to get your booster dose. Do not delay, get it today.  

“For many people, an Omicron infection will be mild,” says Dr Susan Jack, Medical Officer of Health. “But the reason for a mild illness is because of having received a booster vaccine. Having your booster vaccine doesn't just mean you are more likely to have a mild illness, it decreases the likelihood that you will end up in hospital because of COVID-19 infection.”  

If you haven't yet gone to get your booster dose, now is the time to get it. Don't be complacent. Even though restrictions are being loosened, COVID-19 and Omicron are still very real viruses. The best way to protect yourself and your whānau is to get vaccinated and boosted. 

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: 

• 1212 new positive cases  

• 8091 (not recovered from last 7 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 help accessing COVID-19 testing in the Southern region and to find your nearest testing center please call the WellSouth call center 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