There are 455 new cases of Covid-19 in the Southern District today (Wednesday February 23), the Southern District Health Board (SDHB) says.

Fifty-nine of those new cases are in Queenstown Lakes, where the total number of active cases has now reached 329.

The SDHB has again issued a warning about high numbers of Covid-19 in Southern and particularly in Queenstown and Dunedin.

Case numbers have increased by 233 to 584 in Dunedin.

“Please be vigilant when out in the community,” SDHB senior communications advisor Catherine Mackmurdie said. 

“COVID-19 is widespread, and we all run the risk of being exposed.”

She said lab capacity throughout the Southern District has eased with the introduction of rapid antigen tests (RAT) at community-based testing centres.

“Please be patient and continue to self isolate while you wait for your results. PCR results are currently taking about 2 ½ days to be reported, with the longest wait time being just over 3 days,” she said.

There are now a total of 1145 cases of Covid-19 across the Southern District.

The SDHB asked the public to only get tested if they have symptoms or are a close contact or household contact of a confirmed case. 

“If you receive a text notification that you are positive, please do the online survey in the link you receive in the text message as soon as possible,” the SDHB said in a statement.

“This will ensure you can receive the appropriate care and support when you need it.”

PHOTO: Supplied