Contact tracing underway after COVID-19 case confirmed in Queenstown

As was announced by the Director-General of the Ministry of Health this afternoon, a tourist from Europe has tested positive for COVID-19 in Queenstown, the first positive case of Covid-19 in the Southern district.

A Danish woman in her 30s has tested positive and was medically assessed at Lakes District Hospital last night. She is now well enough to be discharged and managed at home and appropriate accommodation is being arranged.

Southern DHB Chief Executive Chris Fleming says the DHB has been preparing for the arrival of the disease in our district and commended everyone who has provided care and contributed to the public health response.

“Our public health team is now undertaking contact tracing in this community and requesting close contacts stay in self isolation for 14 days from the date of potential exposure.
“Many thanks to everyone involved in managing this case, and to everyone who has been working to prevent and limit the spread of the illness.

“Our thoughts are with the woman who has tested positive, and we ask they are supported and privacy is respected at this time.

“This is the first and is unlikely to be the last case we have of COVID-19 in our district. We will need to continue to work together and to everyone, we ask for increased vigilance, and your assistance in sharing the following messages from the Ministry of Health as widely as possible.”

Prevention – how to protect yourself and others

• Cough or sneeze into your elbow or by covering your mouth and nose with tissues.
• Put used tissues in the bin or a bag immediately.
• Wash your hands with soap and water often (for at least 20 seconds).
• Try to avoid close contact with people who are unwell.
• Don’t touch your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean.
• Avoid personal contact, such as kissing, sharing cups or food with sick people.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces and objects, such as doorknobs. Stay home if you feel unwell.

Call Healthline on 0800 358 5453 if you have any symptoms and have undertaken any overseas travel in the past 14 days, or have been in close contact with someone confirmed with COVID-19. Please do not go directly to the Emergency Department or your GP.