Where to get help and information
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Get tested immediately if you have symptoms
While the risk of COVID-19 in the Southern district is now low, it is imperative that anyone with any symptoms gets tested immediately. You are not over-reacting, you will be helping keep yourself, your whānau and your community safe. You should stay at home until the result of your test is available. If the test is positive, you must stay in isolation until declared recovered by Public Health South, and your immediate close contacts should also self-isolate.
The lockdown and increased handwashing has led to an unexpectedly low flu season. However, opening of schools and workplaces could see flu symptoms start to rise. That’s why we need to practise physical distancing (2 metres with strangers, 1 metre with their workmates), good hand hygiene and cough/sneeze etiquette.
COVID-19 assessment and testing
If you have COVID-19 symptoms, please call your GP or free phone – 0800 VIRUS19 (0800 847 8719). You will be asked further questions and referred, where appropriate, for testing.
Testing for COVID-19 is being conducted by most general practices, and at two CBACs in the Southern district – in Dunedin and Invercargill. There are also Designated Practices where people who don’t have a GP, or who don’t know who their doctor is, can be referred for testing.
There is no charge for COVID-19 testing, whether the testing is carried out at a CBAC or in a general practice. CBACs are operating in Dunedin and Invercargill from 9am to 4pm, Monday to Friday and on weekends from 10am to 2pm.
SDHB COVID-19 updates
You can find our media releases and updates by clicking here.
About COVID-19
Everything you need to know about COVID-19 can be found here: COVID-19 National response website
Translated information and resources on COVID-19
Friend someone in need
Friends In Need is a free service that matches volunteers with someone in need during the COVID-19 lockdown.