SDHB Daily COVID-19 Update 7 April 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 

• 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.  

Boosters for 16- and 17-year-olds 

From today, April 7 2022, 16- and 17-years olds throughout New Zealand will be eligible to get a booster vaccine if it has been 6 months since they completed their primary vaccination dose.  

People can check if they are due for their booster dose by visiting mycovidrecord.nz or referring to their purple vaccination card, if they have one. If they are eligible, they can get their booster by finding a walk-in clinic on BookMyVaccine.nz or, from 14 April 2022, by booking an appointment on BookMyVaccine.nz or by calling the COVID-19 Vaccination Healthline 0800 28 29 26 (8am - 8pm, 7 days a week). 

Anyone who has had COVID-19 should wait at least 3 months after they test positive before they receive a primary vaccine dose or booster dose.  

A booster dose is highly recommended for 16 and 17-year-olds who are at higher risk of severe outcomes from COVID-19. This includes those who are immunocompromised (or living with a family member who is immunocompromised) and Māori and Pacific rangatahi. 

Southland Hospital assessment, treatment and rehabilitation ward closed to visitors 

The Southland Hospital assessment, treatment and rehabilitation (ATR) ward is closed to visitors and admissions following the discovery of COVID-19 positive patients on the ward. The origin of the infection is unknown and is currently under investigation.  

All infection, prevention and control measures are in place. All ward staff are undertaking rapid antigen tests before each shift and patients on the ward will undergo PCR testing on days 3 and 6. Patients who have been discovered as COVID-19 positive through PCR testing have been moved to the COVID-19 ward in Southland Hospital.  

Affected patients and their whānau are being kept informed of the situation and visiting will be allowed on compassionate grounds via ward approval. The Southern DHB apologise for the inconvenience to visitors and patients, but this action is necessary to minimise any further COVID-19 spread within the hospital and protect visitors and patients on the ward. 

The Southern DHB would like to remind all visitors to Southland Hospital that it is important that they do not visit if they are household contacts or know that they have been a recent close contact of a positive COVID-19 case. If you are unwell, please stay home until you are better and if you have tested positive, please stay home until you have fully recovered.  

Invercargill and the wider Southland district are experiencing a spike in COVID-19 cases in the community. When out in the community please follow public health guidelines; wear your mask correctly, practise good hand hygiene, and maintain physical distancing where appropriate.  

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. 

Hospitalisation figures 

Current hospitalisations as at 8am 07 April 2022  

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: 

• 1157 new positive cases  

• 7916 (not recovered from last 7 days)  

Current cases as of 11.59pm 06 April 2022  

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.