Two new cases of Covid-19 have been confirmed in the Nelson Tasman region on Wednesday, bringing the total number of cases to 15.
Nelson Marlborough Health say the new cases are being treated as suspected Omicron, with investigations looking to understand possible links to other cases and exposure events.
The 15 cases; 14 confirmed and one suspected, are now spread across three households in the region.
Nelson Marlborough Health medical officer of health, Dr Stephen Bridgman, says it is never easy finding out you are a positive case.
“We are very grateful to the household for coming forward for testing. People are concerned not only for their own health but worry about any exposure to their families and communities."
He says the recent announcement on mask wearing will mean people are better able to protect themselves and reduce the risk of infection to others.
"We know that Omicron is an airborne virus and that we can be infectious before we develop symptoms. Make sure your mask is designed to cover the nose and mouth to ensure the greatest protection.”
Dr Bridgman explains that where cases are isolating is not as important as where cases have been while infectious.
Life Pharmacy Motueka was named on Tuesday as the latest location of interest in the region's outbreak.
Those who were there on Thursday, 20 January between 1.40pm and 2.10pm are alsked to self monitor for symptoms.
Dr Bridgman says widespread testing of people with symptoms across Nelson Marlborough is needed in order to determine if there is undetected transmission in the community.
"So far we are have seen a good response for testing from the community. An additional 432 tests yesterday brings the total of tests to 1,722 since Friday when the cases were announced. We would like to see these numbers continue across the week as new locations of interest are identified," he says.
NMH chief executive Lexie O’Shea says Nelson Marlborough has now reached 90 per cent partially vaccinated and 85 per cent fully vaccinated for Māori.
"Meeting this milestone has been a collective effort."
Lexie says the Omicron cases had driven demand for testing and vaccination.
“It has been an incredibly big start to the week. Community-Based Assessment Centres (CBAC) testing stations remain active in Motueka and Nelson as new location of interests continue to drive demand for testing."
1,722 people have turned up for testing across Nelson Marlborough, including Friday’s figures when the first case was announced.
"This is a great response from our community who have clearly taken to heart the advice to be kind, get tested and get boosted."
Nelson Tasman residents and visitors are asked to monitor Ministry of Health’s locations of interest page, and follow the instructions given on that page if you’ve been at a location of interest. There is a list on this page and also a map for quick-reference: COVID-19: Contact tracing locations of interest | Ministry of Health NZ
Marlborough residents and visitors should monitor this page also if they have travelled to the Nelson Tasman region in the past 14 days.
When and where to get tested
We ask anyone with symptoms – no matter how mild – to please get tested, even if they are vaccinated. Read about symptoms to be alert to on the Ministry of Health website: About COVID-19 symptoms and spread | Ministry of Health NZ COVID-19
1. Walk-in, no appointments needed
Nelson CBAC: Saxton Field parking area (near Oaklands Milk), Suffolk Rd, Stoke
Motueka CBAC: Motueka Recreation Centre, Old Wharf Road, Motueka
CBAC hours will be kept up-to-date on the Healthpoint website: Nelson Marlborough COVID-19 CBACs | HealthPoint
2. By appointment at medical centres (GP) please phone ahead first
All locations and hours available on the Healthpoint website. Find an option closest to you: COVID-19 Testing | Nelson Marlborough | HealthPoint
*Due to data reporting cut-off times, the number of cases reported by Nelson Marlborough Health may differ to what the Ministry of Health has reported.
