| 20 May 2022

116 NEW COVID-19 CASES CONFIRMED IN SOUTH CANTERBURY

Today’s cases

  • Timaru District - 98
  • Waimate District – 12
  • Mackenzie District – 6
  • Unknown – 0.

Active cases

  • Timaru District – 719
  • Waimate District – 77
  • Mackenzie District - 76
  • Unknown – 3
  • Total active cases – 875.

Total cases recovered in 2022

  • 12,708.

Cases in Timaru Hospital

  • 10.

The South Canterbury DHB encourages everyone in South Canterbury to be vigilant and get tested if they develop any symptoms of COVID-19, or if you are a Household Contact of a positive case. We would like to remind our community to continue to follow public health advice and stay at home and stay away from school or work if you’re feeling unwell.

Another way to protect you and your whānau is to get vaccinated if you haven’t already done so. Vaccination remains our best defence against COVID-19. There is a much lower risk of being hospitalised if you are up to date with your vaccinations, which, for Omicron, includes a third or booster dose if eligible. Even if you’ve had COVID-19 you should still get any COVID-19 vaccinations you’re eligible for. It’s recommended you wait 3 months after testing positive before getting any COVID-19 vaccination. Click here for a full list of vaccination clinics in South Canterbury, including those taking walk ins, or visit the Healthpoint website.

If you or your child are due for your MMR or COVID-19 vaccinations, come along to the pop-up Saturday Immunisation Clinic at 18 Woollcombe Street, Timaru. Just turn up anytime between 12-4pm on Saturday 21 May 2022, no appointment needed! The first 50 people vaccinated this Saturday will receive a free CBAY swim pass! MMR immunisations are FREE for anyone born after January 1969 who hasn’t had two recorded doses.

If you complete a Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) it’s important to report your positive or negative result on mycovidrecord.health.nz or call 0800 222 478 and press option 3. If you have COVID-19 and your symptoms are getting worse, please seek medical care before you get too sick, whether that is from your general practice or the South Canterbury COVID-19 Coordination Centre on 0800 111 880.

Please note, the Ministry of Health’s daily reported cases may differ slightly from those reported at a DHB. 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. Unknown cases are due to the normal place of residence not being identified yet.

WHERE TO GET RAPID ANTIGEN TESTS (RATS)

If you are showing COVID-19 symptoms or are a household contact you can go to a Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) collection site, or pre-order a RAT online at requestrats.covid19.health.nz or by ringing 0800 222 478 (option 3) from 8am to 8pm to collect, or have someone collect it for you at a collection site.

Timaru Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) collection site and COVID-19 Testing Clinic:

  • Aorangi Park, Morgans Road, Timaru (north end car park)
  • Monday – Friday, 9am - 4.30pm.
  • Saturday – Sunday, 9am – 3pm.

Please note, due to sporting events the Aorangi Park RAT collection site will be CLOSED this Saturday 21 May. A RAT collection site will be located in the Talbot Park Car Park, 156 Otipua Road, Timaru from 9am-3pm on Saturday 21 May.

Temuka Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) collection site:

  • Hally Terrace, Temuka (near Domain Avenue)
  • Sunday – Thursday (closed Friday and Saturday)
  • 12.30pm – 4pm.

Geraldine Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) collection site:

  • Geraldine Rugby Club, George Street, Geraldine
  • Sunday – Thursday (closed Friday and Saturday)
  • 9am to 11.30am.

Waimate Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) collection sites:

  • Oak House Medical Centre
  • 161 Queen Street, Waimate, 03 689 7676 (pick up from Gorge Road entrance)
  • Monday – Friday
  • 10am – 12pm and 2pm - 5pm
  • Please note, phoning is preferred before going to this collection site.

Twizel Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) collection site:

  • MacKenzie Pharmacy, 6-7 Market Place, Twizel
  • Monday – Friday, 9am - 5pm
  • Saturday, 10am - 2pm
  • Please note, before going to this collection site, you need to place an order via (requestrats.covid19.health.nz) or by ringing 0800 222 478 (option 3).

Fairlie Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) collection site:

  • Fairlie HealthCare Depot, 78 Main Street, Fairlie
  • Monday – Friday
  • 9am - 5.30pm
  • Please note, before going to this collection site, you need to place an order via (requestrats.covid19.health.nz) or by ringing 0800 222 478 (option 3).

ENDS

Media contact:
Karen Berry
Communications Manager
South Canterbury District Health Board
P: 03 687 2395 | M: 021 139 7442
kberry@scdhb.health.nz