The Southern District Health Board (SDHB) has been notified of 12 new cases of COVID-19 as at 8am on Thursday (March 26).

Some of these cases have returned from overseas travel and at least one attended the Wanaka A&P Show in association with persons who were also at the World Hereford Conference in Queenstown, the SDHB said in a statement.

“We ask anyone who has developed symptoms suggestive of COVID-19 and who attended the Wanaka A&P Show (March 13–15)  to contact Healthline [0800 358 5453] or their family GP as they may need testing,” the SDHB said.

The total number of confirmed cases, as of Thursday morning, in the Southern district is 31. This total includes 30 confirmed cases and one probable case reported to the Ministry of Health. The SDHB said further cases may be confirmed through the day.

Cases who have returned from overseas have all gone into immediate isolation and have very few close contacts. Those related to the Wanaka A&P Show and World Hereford Conference have more extensive contacts that are now being followed up. All cases have mild illness.

Contact tracing has begun. Everyone is asked to monitor their health and contact Healthline  should they experience cough, fever or have difficulty breathing.

The SDHB said it calls upon the community to provide support to and respect the privacy of the affected people, and thanked everyone for cooperating with requests to self-isolate.

The SDHB continues to remind the public that the best way they can help with the COVID-19 response is to:

• Keep two metres physical distance from others
• Stay home to avoid exposure to illness
• Practice good personal hygiene and cleaning practices

More SDHB COVID-19 cases are expected to be confirmed in coming days as New Zealanders return home from overseas and as a result of exposure at the World Hereford Conference, the statement said. 

Public Health staff are working very hard to identify close contacts of these cases and provide advice.

PHOTO: Supplied