Southern DHB Media Update - Tuesday 31 August 2021

SWABBING – Attributable Dr Michael Butchard, Medical Officer of Health, Southern

Today more than 217 COVID-19 tests were taken by WellSouth staff and general practices around the district*.

*Please note testing data is preliminary and may vary from final data published by the Ministry of Health.  It reflects recorded tests until 3pm.  These figures are liable to change as testing continues during the late afternoon/evening.

VACCINATION* – Attributable Hamish Brown, Southern COVID-19 vaccine programme lead

The Southern COVID-19 vaccination programme has delivered 267,721 doses of the vaccine to date, 87,268 of which were second doses. Across the district, 60% of the population has received at least one dose and 29.6% are fully vaccinated.

This is thanks to a tremendous effort from over 100 providers across the district, including pharmacies, general practices, Māori and Pasifika health providers, the staff at the DHB’s vaccination clinics in Invercargill and Dunedin – and of course a tremendous response from the public. Thank you all for playing your part to keep the community safe.

Please note that the text appointment reminders are not currently going out. If you have an appointment booked, please check your booking confirmation and cancel or amend your booking if you can no longer make the appointment. This helps us know where there are available appointments across the district and ensure others don't miss out on the chance to get vaccinated sooner. You can change or cancel your appointments by going to bookmyvaccine.nz or by calling 0800 28 29 26.

*Please note these vaccination figures are indicative only and reflect vaccination numbers up to 4pm daily. These figures are liable to change as vaccination centres continue to vaccinate people during the late afternoon/evening.

CONTACT TRACING – Attributable Dr Michael Butchard, Medical Officer of Health, Southern

As of 5.00pm today (Tuesday 31 August), the national contact tracing system has fewer than 10 people recorded as close contacts in the Southern region.  Southern’s Medical Officers of Health are pleased with this expected continued decline in numbers.

At the peak, there were around 140 people recorded as close contacts in Southern, but most have now completed their 14 day isolation period.

Public Health South continues to support the national COVID-19 response, and our contact tracers are managing around 190 close contacts who are either currently or have been symptomatic since being at a location of interest. Most of these close contacts are in Auckland and coming to the end of their 14 day isolation period.

SOUTHERN HOSPITALS UNDER ALERT LEVEL THREE 3

Southern DHB Facilities Visitor Policy for Level 3 - effective Wednesday 1 September 2021

Our visitor policy protects the safety of patients and staff by minimising avoidable contact and the potential for spread of the COVID-19 virus.

• Inpatients can nominate one person (from their extended ‘bubble’) who will be allowed to visit them in hospital. It is preferable that the nominated visitor is the same person throughout the duration of the patient's admission.
• This person will be allowed to visit once per day.
•  Compassionate visitor arrangements will continue outside of this process in agreement with the Charge Nurse Manager of the area.
• Visitors will be screened for COVID-19 and all visitors will be required to use the QR COVID Tracer App or log sheet upon entry to the hospital and at entry to the relevant ward.
• When visiting in hospital, it is important to follow Level 3 precautions.  Visitors must wear a face mask, maintain physical distance of at least one metre from other people and wash or gel hands on arrival and departure.
• Please consider other options for enabling patients to remain in touch with family, whānau or significant others such as using FaceTime, Skype or Messenger.

Visiting hours will be the following:

Southland Hospital                                         10am – 12noon, and 2pm – 4pm

Dunedin Hospital                                            2pm – 6pm

Lakes Hospital                                                2pm – 6pm

Wakari Hospital (Rehab Ward)                      1pm – 4pm

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

As above plus:

Please make contact with the Nurse in Charge before visiting to confirm the arrangements for visiting.

Critical Care Unit Southland

Please phone the Critical Care Unit to arrange your visit, 03 2181949 extension 48465