There continues to be high rates of Covid infections in the Southern district and we need to continue to take practical steps to reduce the spread of the virus, WellSouth Primary Health Network medical director Dr Carol Atmore says.

“Southern is where Auckland was a month ago in its Covid journey, as we are just past our peak but still experiencing very high daily case numbers,” she said.

There are 145 new cases of Covid-19 in Queenstown Lakes today (Thursday April 14), bringing the active total in the district to 986.

The SDHB does not provide a breakdown of cases within Queenstown Lakes so the Wānaka App cannot provide Wānaka-specific figures.

Across the Southern District there are 1,089 new cases and an active total of 7,430 cases.

There are 145 new cases of Covid-19 in the Southern Lakes district today.

There are 93 new cases in Central Otago; 53 in Clutha; 406 in Dunedin; 37 in Gore; 247 in Invercargill; 77 in Southland; and 34 in Waitaki. 

Thirty-two people are in hospital with Covid-19 in Southern: 21 in Dunedin, 10 in Southland and one in Queenstown Lakes.

Carol said while it is of concern that there are more than 30 Covid hospitalisations in Southern at present, it is also important to remember that this represents a small percent of the 7,500 Covid positive patients in Otago Southland who are currently self isolating and being safely managed at home. 

These individuals are both self-managing and being supported with the help and virtual care provided by general practices and WellSouth’s clinicians network, she said.

Hundreds of cases are still being reported each day and, in total, primary care providers in Otago and Southland have helped to care for many of the 50,000 patients since the first case of the current outbreak was reported in Southern on February 8.  

“We all welcome more freedoms and, indeed, it’s important to reduce some restrictions as we learn to live with the virus and go about our daily lives with Covid as endemic,” Carol said.

“But at the same time we should still take basic precautions that will help keep ourselves and others safe and reduce the spread of Covid and many other viruses, including influenza.”

Carol reminded people to get fully vaccinated and boosted when eligible; wear your mask; wash and sanitise your hands frequently; and stay home if you are unwell and test for Covid. Even if you do not have Covid, stay home until you are symptom-free.

“These measures will help keep our communities safe and you are playing your part to support general practices and other healthcare providers who have worked tirelessly to care for patients and whānau in Southern these past several months.”

IMAGES: Supplied