The Southern District Health Board (SDHB) says hospital admissions for Covid-19 will start to increase soon.

It also said case numbers across the Southern District have risen or remained steady over the past two days which does not indicate a peak has been reached.

“We will know we have passed our Covid-19 case peak when we have a consistent fall in numbers over several days,” the SDHB said in a statement.

Hospital admissions are due to climb “in the coming weeks” as the current outbreak reaches the older and more vulnerable members of the community.

Now is not the time to be complacent, the SDHB said.

“We still have vulnerable people in our communities who could suffer adverse effects because of Covid-19 infection. 

“When you are out and about in our beautiful district please think of these people and wear a mask and stay home if you have symptoms, have tested positive for Covid-19 or are a household contact of a positive case.”

The SDHB said across the Southern district there are 1,386 new cases for an active total of 8,336.

In the Queenstown Lakes District there are 189 new cases, bringing the total number of active cases to 1,334.

The SDHB does not provide a breakdown of cases within the district so the Wānaka App cannot provide Wānaka case numbers.

There are 71 new cases in Central Otago; 55 in Clutha; 413 in Dunedin; 60 in Gore; 360 in Invercargill; 157 in Southland; and 80 in Waitaki.

There are 14 people in hospital in Dunedin and 10 in Southland, and two of the Dunedin patients are in ICU.

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.  

For help accessing Covid-19 testing in the Southern region and to find your nearest testing center please call the WellSouth call center on 0800 VIRUS19 (0800 847 8719).  

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