COVID-19
Update 116
14 September 2020
In this update:
Case information Alert level announcement today Physical distancing requirements on public transport eased Drop-in COVID-19 testing clinics for tourist-facing workers in Queenstown this week Remember we’re at Alert Level 2 Key contacts and where to get information
Please note – new updates will have a red heading.
Case information
There is one new community case of COVID-19 today. The case is epidemiologically linked to an existing case associated with the Botany sub- cluster which has been genomically linked to the Auckland cluster. There are now 96 active cases of COVID-19 in New Zealand. New Zealand’s confirmed and probable cases of COVID-19 to date is 1,798. See the Ministry of Health current cases page for further details.
The Southern region’s total remains 216, with no active cases, 214 deemed to be recovered, and two deceased.
Alert level announcement today
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced this afternoon that Auckland will remain in Covid-19 alert level 2.5 and the rest of the country in level 2 for one more week.
Alert levels will be reviewed by Cabinet on Monday 21 September with a view to reducing mass gathering limits in Auckland from Wednesday 23 September, and the rest of New Zealand moving to Covid-19 alert level one on Monday 21 September.
Physical distancing requirements on public transport eased
Physical distancing requirements on public transport have been reviewed by the Ministry of Health to determine whether they are still required at Alert Level 2 (or below).
The Ministry’s assessment is that mandatory face covering and individuals tracking their movements mean physical distancing requirements can now be relaxed.
With the use of face coverings, the updated advice is that physical distancing should be maintained where possible, however it is not required on either domestic flights or on public transport such as trains, buses and ferries.
Drop-in COVID-19 testing clinics for tourist-facing workers in Queenstown this week
Queenstown Medical Centre, WellSouth primary health network, and Southern DHB are working together to provide free COVID-19 drop-in testing clinics in central Queenstown this week.
Queenstown COVID-19 Testing Clinics Village Green Camp Street Monday 14 to Thursday 17 September 8am to 6pm The clinics are aimed at improving access to testing for people working in the hospitality, tourism and service sectors. This includes restaurant and bar staff, cleaning staff, as well as taxi/uber and bus drivers, airport workers and others who may have had contact with people traveling from outside the South Island.
These are walk-in clinics - no appointment is needed – and testing is for people with or without symptoms.
“We want to help ensure that COVID swabbing is convenient and accessible to workers in the Queenstown area,” says Southern DHB Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Susan Jack. “If COVID-19 has made its way to our community, we can find it and stamp it out quickly.
The clinics are part of continued surveillance testing taking place across the Southern district and around the country.
Read the full media release here
Remember we’re at Alert Level 2
Alert Level 2 is when the disease is contained, but there is a risk of community transmission.
Although there are currently no cases of COVID-19 or community transmission in the district there is unrestricted travel around New Zealand and we need to remain vigilant.
Help to protect yourself and others from COVID-19
It’s easy to forget we’re at Alert Level 2 - please remember to:
Stay home if you are sick.
Anyone who has cold and flu symptoms should contact their GP or call 0800VIRUS19 (0800 847 8719) to arrange a COVID test
Cough or sneeze into your elbow
Scan the NZ COVID tracer app QR codes in the areas you are working and when you are out in the community, or keep a diary of where you have been
Wash your hands frequently for 20 seconds or use hand sanitiser if you can’t access soap and water
Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces and objects
Keep your distance - physical distancing isn’t always possible when caring for patients, but the one metre rule needs to be strictly applied to all other interactions between staff members including meetings, walking around our hospitals and lunchtimes.
For more information about Alert Level 2 click here
Key contacts and where to get information https://covid19.govt.nz/
Southern CBTC call centre - 0800 VIRUS 19 (0800 84787 19).
The Ministry of Health website is being updated regularly so please continue to follow their advice which is available via the alert on Southern HealthPathways and the Southern Health website.
Please direct the public to the coronavirus page on the Southern Health website for information about novel coronavirus: https://www.southernhealth.nz/COVID-19
Other useful information and resources
Healthline 0800 358 5453 Government helpline 0800 779 997 Need to talk? Call or text 1737 Essential business enquiries [email protected] or 0800 22 66 57 Reporting breaches of self-isolation [email protected]
World Health Organisation website