| 24 Feb 2022

SIX NEW COVID-19 CASES CONFIRMED IN SOUTH CANTERBURY

There are six new COVID-19 cases reported in South Canterbury today:

  • Three positive PCR tests
  • Three positive Rapid Antigen Test (RAT).

The number of active COVID-19 cases in South Canterbury can be located on the Ministry of Health website.

We encourage anyone in the South Canterbury region with any symptoms of COVID-19 – no matter how mild to get tested as soon as possible.

WHERE TO GET TESTED FOR COVID-19

Timaru COVID-19 Testing Clinic:

  • Monday to Friday from 9am - 3pm - Baptist Church, 17 Wilson Street, Timaru
  • Saturday and Sunday from 9am - 3pm - Timaru Medical Centre car park, 45 Heaton Street, Timaru.

No appointments are required to be tested.

In order to protect our health services such as General Practice and the Emergency Department, we ask the community to assist with this by getting tested at the COVID-19 Testing Clinic.

If you live outside of Timaru, or need clinical advice about whether you need a test, please phone your doctor or Healthline on 0800 358 5453 and they will advise where you can get tested.

ADVICE FOR PEOPLE WHO TEST POSITIVE WITH COVID-19

If you are positive for COVID-19 you will get a text message from 2328 with a link to an online form you need to fill out. This form will help with notification of your close contacts and will provide information to your health team about any health needs you may have.

VACCINATION ADVICE

People living in South Canterbury are reminded to get vaccinated if they have not already. Everyone aged 5 years and over is eligible for free COVID-19 vaccination. Booster doses are also now available to anyone aged 18+ who had their second dose 3 month ago.

Click here for a full list of vaccination clinics in South Canterbury, including those taking walk ins. Or you can visit the Healthpoint website www.healthpoint.co.nz/covid-19-vaccination/south-canterbury/.

HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF AND OTHERS

Now that we have COVID-19 in South Canterbury, we are all at risk of being exposed. These simple steps can slow the spread of the virus and help protect you, your whānau, and your community from COVID-19.

  • Stay home if you have cold, flu or COVID-19 symptoms, and get a test
  • Get vaccinated as soon as you can
  • Regularly wash and thoroughly dry your hands or use hand sanitiser
  • Sneeze and cough into your elbow
  • Clean or disinfect shared surfaces often
  • Improve ventilation indoors by opening windows to increase fresh air flow
  • Keep a safe distance from people you do not know while out and about
  • Wear a mask
  • Keep track of where you have been with the NZ COVID Tracer app
  • Have My Vaccine Pass ready for places that require proof of vaccination to enter, like cafes, bars, gyms and hairdressers.

ENDS

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