Southern DHB Media Update - Wednesday 18 August 2021
Southern health chiefs urge public to follow health advice
Southern DHB Medical Officer of Health, Dr Susan Jack is urging everyone in Southern to wear a mask if they leave the house under the current Alert Level 4 lockdown.
“While wearing a mask on public transport has been mandatory during previous elevated alert levels, the virulence of the Delta strain of COVID-19 means it is important for people to now wear masks when out in public to protect themselves and others.
“We know the Delta strain is highly infectious, and can spread by airborne transmission to infect someone within seconds. I appeal to everyone in the Southern region to wear a mask, maintain two metres social distance from others when they leave the house, and keep up good hand hygiene. Please only leave your house for the allowable reasons.
Dr Jack said it was imperative that anyone who has cold of flu symptoms, either calls 0800 VIRUS-19 (0800 847 8719) or their GP to arrange a COVID-19 test. Please do not visit hospital Emergency Departments to request a test.
“People who have visited Auckland or the Coromandel since Tuesday 10 August are asked to check the Ministry of Health website for places of interest and follow advice if you have visited any of these sites.”
Dr Jack said it was important to remember that even people who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 can catch the virus. “The vaccine does reduce the severity of the illness, but people can still contract the virus and transmit it to others.”
Meanwhile, Southern’s COVID-19 vaccination rollout, like all others around the country, has been briefly paused. At Southern, if you have an appointment on 18 and 19 August, please do not attend. People are asked to reschedule their appointment by calling 0800 28 29 26, or by email on https://bookmyvaccine.covid19.health.nz/ If your booking is on Friday, it will go ahead as scheduled.
Southern DHB Chief Executive Chris Fleming said hospitals and services around the Southern region were today modifying how they operate to reflect the requirements of Alert Level 4.
The majority of scheduled surgeries and outpatient appointment will be postponed for the current three days of Level 4 lockdown, and will then be reassessed. People with a surgery or appointment scheduled in these three days are advised this is postponed unless they are directly contacted by Southern DHB.
Community teams are still making home visits for essential care. Patients are being contacted as required.
Under Alert Level 4 no visitors are allowed in our hospitals unless on compassionate grounds. Visitors who believe they should be able to visit on these grounds are asked to discuss this with the Charge Nurse Manager on the ward.
If a child is being assessed, treated or has been admitted to hospital, one parent may stay in hospital with them.
Southern Emergency Departments remain open – but we ask that people keep them for emergencies only.
Mr Fleming thanked the public for their cooperation and understanding during this time.
“We are grateful to the people of Southern for doing their bit to stay home, follow public health advice and Alert Level 4 rules, to help keep our dedicated staff, patients and communities safe.”
NOTE: Members of the media are advised that Southern DHB does not comment on individual patients for reasons of privacy. As occurred in 2020, any announcements around COVID positive cases will be made by the Ministry of Health.