There are 195 new cases of Covid-19 in the Queenstown Lakes district today (Thursday March 10), bringing the district’s total to 2,095.

The Southern District Health Board (SDHB) does not provide a breakdown of case numbers within Queenstown Lakes so the Wānaka App cannot provide information about the number of cases in the Upper Clutha. 

There is also one person with Covid-19 in hospital in the Queenstown Lakes district. There are two people with Covid-19 in hospital in Southland and eight in Dunedin. None of the cases are in ICU. 

The SDHB said hospitalisation data does not differentiate between patients admitted because of Covid-19 infection versus those admitted for a separate reason who happen to also have Covid-19. 

There are now 11,267 cases of Covid-19 in the Southern region.

There are 6,329 cases in Dunedin, 250 in Clutha, 310 in Central Otago, 245 in Core, 925 in Invercargill, 400 in Southland, 515 in Waitaki.

As the Omicron outbreak spreads in the Southern district many aged residential care facilities are having staff test positive and some are finding Covid-19 infection amongst residents, the SDHB says. 

Some facilities have closed to visitors in the short term as a precaution to protect their vulnerable residents. If not, the following precautions are likely to be in place: Strict enforcement of surgical-grade mask wearing at all times; enforcement of hand hygiene measures; physical distancing being observed.

As of 11.59pm tomorrow (Friday March 11) the isolation period for Covid-19 cases and household contacts will reduce from 10 days to seven days.  

Household contacts will need to have a rapid antigen test (RAT) on day three and day seven. If they become symptomatic during their seven-day isolation period, they will need an immediate RAT. If a household contact does not get any symptoms, they will need to return a negative rapid antigen test on day seven at the end of their seven-day isolation period. If the household contact becomes a case, they will then start their seven days of isolation as a case. 

If you have any questions about Covid-19, self-isolation, or what you need to do if you test positive, please call Healthline on 0800 358 5453. If you are self-isolating and require welfare support such as help getting groceries, please call 0800 512 337. 

If you have concerns about Covid-19 symptoms, please call your general practice or Healthline on 0800 358 5453 at any time. If you are very unwell or having breathing difficulties, please call 111 immediately.

IMAGE: Supplied