Southern District Health Board (SDHB) is calling on everyone in the community to ‘Safeguard, Sing Out, Shield, and Repeat’ this winter to help combat influenza, Covid-19, and other illnesses during the colder months.

SDHB chief operating officer Hamish Brown said the Southern region has already begun to face the significant challenges brought about by illnesses synonymous with winter, like influenza.

“Hot on the heels of Omicron, we have already seen many people in our region becoming very unwell with influenza…” Hamish said. 

“This winter is also our first in two years with New Zealand’s borders truly open, which means our natural immunity to viruses and other bugs has been weakened, and we’re likely to see increased pressure on our health system as a result.”

The latest statistics show there are still a high number of cases of Covid-19 in Queenstown Lakes, with 465 active cases in the last SDHB update yesterday (Wednesday June 15). 

Across Southern, there are around 3,000 cases, showing there is still plenty of reason to exercise caution when out and about.

Everyone in the community needs to take precautions to help combat influenza, Covid-19 and other illnesses during winter, the SDHB says. PHOTO: Wānaka App

To ‘Safeguard’, individuals should get vaccinated, stay home if you’re sick, look after your general wellbeing and keep your home warm and dry; ‘Sing Out’ means to seek support for illness; ‘Shield’ by wearing a mask, coughing and sneezing into your elbow and staying home if you’re sick; and ‘Repeat’ means to continue to do the same thing you did to protect yourself from Covid-19.

SDHB medical officer of health Dr Susan Jack stressed that the first step individuals should take to safeguard themselves - and the best defence against any illness - continues to be vaccination.

“We’re calling on everyone to check if all of their vaccinations are up to date, and to contact their GP or head to a vaccination centre for the influenza immunisation as soon as possible,” she said.

Vaccines are free for people over the age 65, Māori and Pacifica over 55, pregnant people, and people with long-term health conditions such as asthma, diabetes and heart conditions. 

“If you do find yourself unwell, it’s really important that you stay away from work or school,” Susan said.

“Look after yourself and your family – rest and fluids are especially important. Antibiotics will only work against bacterial infections, not the viral infections that cause influenza. While you may feel miserable, most people recover well with rest and taking appropriate medications to relieve discomfort and fever if needed.”

Find more winter wellness tips here.