Source: Eastern Institute of Technology – Tairāwhiti
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EIT has their first confirmed COVID-19 case in the EIT Hawke’s Bay Community. While this news is unsettling, it was expected, and something we have prepared for.
Over the coming days both close and identified casual contacts of this person will be directly contacted by the public health team with help from EIT.
However, anyone who was at EIT 23 and 24 March, during EIT’s open hours, and has been unwell with a cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, a runny nose or loss of smell should contact their GP or Healthline so an appointment can be made for them to be assessed at a community-based assessment centre.
As the contact was some time ago, we would expect anyone who was going to develop illness to have already done so – people who have remained well throughout this time can be reassured that if they have not yet developed any illness they are unlikely to do so.
Medical Officer of Health Dr Nick Jones said many people may only experience mild illness. “No matter how mild the illness it is important to be tested so we can be assured we have tracked down the disease and are able to break the train of transmission. Its important people get tested and I strongly urge anyone with symptoms to do so. It will only take one person to not realise they have COVID-19 disease and we will be back to square one.”
Thank you again to everyone for your efforts over this time, and following all the measures asked of you at Alert Level 4.
For more information, call the dedicated Healthline coronavirus free-phone on 08003585453, visit the Ministry of Health COVID-19 website, or check our Student FAQs on the COVID-19 EIT Webpage.
