Southern DHB Media Update - Wednesday 25 August 2021
SWABBING – Attributable Dr Susan Jack, Medical Officer of Health, Southern
Today more than 376 COVID-19 tests were taken by WellSouth staff and general practices around the district*.
The University of Otago pop up testing centre is continuing until Sunday, to ensure there is sufficient swabbing capacity in the system and that students continue to have easy access to testing.
*Please note testing data is preliminary and may vary from final data published by the Ministry of Health. It reflects recorded tests until 3pm.
VACCINATION* – Attributable Hamish Brown, Southern COVID-19 vaccine programme lead
To date, the Southern vaccine programme has delivered 220,610 doses, 73,087 of which have been second doses. Yesterday was another record breaking day for the programme with over 8,000 doses contributing to the 80,033 national daily total. Across the district, 50% of the eligible population have received one dose and 25% of have received two doses.
Today, bookings were opened up to those aged 30 and over. Appointments can be made through bookmyvaccine.nz or over the phone by calling 0800 28 29 26. The following is a break down by age group of those who have received a vaccine or are currently booked:
- 85.7% of those aged 65 and over;
- 79.8% of those aged 60-64;
- 72.7% of those aged 55-59
- 65.9% of those aged 50-54:
- 54.4% of those aged 40-49
- 28.5% of those aged 30-39.
*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 Susan Jack, Medical Officer of Health, Southern
As of 4.30pm today (Wednesday 25 August), we have 90 people documented as close contacts isolating in the Southern District.
We strongly encourage all people who know they were at a location of interest to call HealthLine as soon as possible and follow the guidance given.
Our team continues to support the national response in following up over 600 close contacts from elsewhere in New Zealand.