Daily Media Update - Wednesday 29 April 2020

No new cases in Southern

The Ministry of Health has announced no new COVID-19 cases in the Southern district today, for the eleventh consecutive day. The region’s total remains 216, with 13 active cases, 201 now recovered and two deceased.

Please note confirmed and probable cases are combined, to match Ministry case reporting. For a breakdown by Territorial Authority please visit the Southern Health website:  https://www.southernhealth.nz/sdhbCOVID19/cases-updates
 

Southern marae latest focus for community testing for COVID-19

Community testing to help find any undetected cases of COVID-19 in the Southern district continued today with testing at Kāti Huirapa Rūnaka ki Puketeraki marae in Karitane.

37 people were swabbed at the marae today, while 45 people took the opportunity have their influenza vaccination at the same time. Swabbing will also take place at Te Rau Aroha Marae Bluff and Murihiku Marae Invercargill over the next week.

The testing is part of Southern DHB’s surveillance activity to try to uncover any pockets of disease that have not yet reached our attention. Carried out by WellSouth PHO, the testing is targeting higher risk communities that may have been exposed to the virus, or where people may not have been well represented in our overall testing. It is focusing on health care and other workers, Māori and Pacific people, and those with a history of international travel such as those staying in backpackers’ hostels.

“Thank you to our runaka for making this week’s testing possible, and to everyone in our Māori community who are coming forward to be tested,” Dr Jack says. “This helps us build confidence in understanding the prevalence of the disease in the community, which is of great importance to us all.

It has now been 11 days since our last reported case of COVID-19 in the district, and 14 days since the last person in our district first developed symptoms of the illness, leading to “increasing optimism” that we have stamped out transmission of the disease in our community, says Southern DHB Medical Officer of Health Dr Susan Jack.

243 residents in hostel and backpacker accommodation in Queenstown were tested for COVID-19 over the ANZAC weekend, with no positive cases reported. Previously, 343 asymptomatic people were tested at a Queenstown supermarket, which also did not find any cases of COVID-19.

However, she warns it’s too soon to be complacent, as a single case can have far-reaching consequences.

“As a community, we have made such a difference. Please, everyone, now we need to maintain the precautions required in Alert Level 3 to make sure that any undetected cases do not take hold.”

Southern DHB Visitor Policy under Level 3

The Southern DHB’s Facilities Visitor Policy for Level 3 has been confirmed today.

Effective from Thursday 30 April, 2pm

• Inpatients can nominate one person who will be allowed to visit them in hospital
• This person will be allowed to visit once a day
• This person will be screened for COVID-19 and details taken upon entry to the hospital
   
  The reason we have a visitors policy is to ensure the safety of patients and staff by minimising avoidable contact and the potential for spread of the COVID-19 virus.
   
  Now we are at COVID Alert Level 3, all inpatients will be able to nominate one person (ideally from their extended ‘bubble’) who will be allowed to visit them while they are in hospital.
   
  A maximum of one visitor will be allowed for one visit per day.
   
  All visitors must follow Level 3 precautions while in the hospital:
  •             Demonstrate good hand hygiene. Visitors must wash/gel their hands upon entry and exit.
  •             Adhere to physical distancing of at least one metre.
   
  Visitors will be logged and screened upon entry to the hospital. This is to ensure we can provide names for contact tracing if a COVID-19 diagnosis is made either in the hospital or from a visitor.
   
  Please consider other options for enabling patients to remain in touch with family, whānau, or their significant other, such as using FaceTime, Skype, Messenger, etc.
   
  Visiting hours will be 2pm-6pm every day. We appreciate strict adherence to these hours.
   
  Other requirements
  Visiting a patient who has been admitted with COVID-19 or is suspected to have COVID-19
  Approval of either the Charge Nurse Manager or a Senior Clinician will be required.
   
  Maternity
  Women in labour will be allowed one support person from their extended bubble for the duration of the labour and birth.
   
  Women staying on the antenatal or postnatal wards can have a once daily visit from their nominated support person.
   
  Mental Health
  In addition to the conditions mentioned above. Please make contact with the Nurse in Charge prior to confirm the arrangements for visiting.
   
  Outpatients / Radiology
  We are currently allowing one support person to attend outpatient clinics in exceptional circumstances. This will be arranged when pre-screening occurs by phone and the time of the outpatient clinic is confirmed.
   
  Critical Care Unit Southland
  Please phone the Critical Care Unit to arrange your visit - 03 2181949 extension 48465.
   
  ENDS.