A further two household contacts of existing confirmed Nelson Tasman cases, have tested positive for Covid-19, bringing the total active cases in the region to 17 (16 confirmed, one probable).
Nelson Marlborough Health, medical officer of health, Dr Stephen Bridgman, says in the 'stamp it out' phase all cases are confirmed with a positive PCR test as it is the most accurate method.
"Rapid antigen tests become important in the ‘flatten the curve’ and ‘manage it’ phases as case numbers escalate and the public health response adjusts accordingly," he says.
Stephen says during this ‘stamp it out’ phase, close contacts are being asked to quarantine for 10 days to allow for immediate testing and further testing at days five and eight, or earlier if symptomatic.
Casual contacts, people who have been at a location of interest during the date and time specified, are asked to monitor symptoms.
"If they become symptomatic they need to get a test and isolate immediately until a negative test result is received."
"This ‘stamping it out’ phase aims to gift us time," says Stephen.
"Time for people in our community to become vaccinated and develop a household plan for when Omicron cases peak. This will help us reduce the number of people who experience serious illness, hospitalisation and death.”
NMH chief executive, Lexie O’Shea, says the Nelson Marlborough health system is working at pace to operationalise these measures and align internal policies to the expected phases.
“I know it has been said before but we really do live in unprecedented times.
"The next few months are going to be bumpy and we are forever grateful to the Nelson Marlborough community for supporting us by getting vaccinated, getting tested and being kind to our frontline staff."
She says Nelson Marlborough are actively seeking to stamp out Omicron.
"We are now six days on from the first case announcement and are encouraged to see people with symptoms continuing to come forward for testing."
On Wednesday, 403 tests were taken with over 2000 now completed across Nelson Marlborough since Friday.
