Source: Covid-19 New Zealand Government Announcements
Update from the Ministry of Health
There are 18,833 community cases of COVID-19 to report today which is a decrease in daily cases from recent days where we reported cases above 20,000.
While decreases in cases can be encouraging, the Ministry of Health urges caution. We are expecting cases to jump around, and are continuing to see increases in COVID-19 related hospitalisations.
Additionally, public health officials consider that one possible reason for the decrease in cases could be related to people not self-reporting Rapid Antigen Test results.
The Ministry of Health would like to remind everyone to self-report both positive and negative results for RATs through My Covid Record, to help health officials understand the size and trends of the outbreak. People who need help recording their result can also call 0800 222 478. We would also like to remind parents and caregivers to report test results for their children via the 0800 number.
It is essential we have has much information as possible to inform public health decision-making.
So, today, our message is simple: if you take a Rapid Antigen Test, report the result online through my COVID Record.
The Ministry would like to thank the tens of thousands of people who have reported a RAT result – you are doing your bit for the health response.
How to self-report RAT results
Rapid antigen test update
The Ministry has been made aware of people trying to walk through testing centre drive thrus to collect RATs.
This is dangerous, and we would like to remind people to check Healthpoint for information about drive-through and walk-in community testing centres.
We are continuing to see a high demand for Rapid Antigen Tests and the Ministry continues to assure people that we have good supply of tests.
With tens of thousands of people collecting RATs from testing centres and collection sites, our request is to, please, be patient and kind to each other and staff.
If you are symptomatic or a household contact, you can order RATs through the newly launched RAT requester site. You, or someone of your behalf, can collect your RAT order from a collection site listed on Healthpoint. Please only go to those sites that are listed as collection sites.
Request RATs | covid19.health.nz (external link)
Collection sites | healthpoint.co.nz (external link)
The priority for COVID-19 response for free RATs remains those who are symptomatic or a household contact. Please do not order or request RATs from testing centre or collections sites unless you are unwell or a household contact. International travel pre-departure testing is not covered under the public health response. If you are well, you can still purchase RATs from one of a growing number of retailers which stock them.
Deaths of five people with COVID-19
Sadly, we are today reporting the deaths of five people with COVID-19.
Of these, two were being cared for at North Shore Hospital, two at Middlemore Hospital and one at Auckland City Hospital.
Three of the patients were in their 80s, one was in their 70s and one was in their 60s. Three were male and two were female.
Our thoughts and condolences are with these peoples’ whānau and friends.
Out of respect for privacy, we will be making no further comment.
Read the full update on today’s cases | health.govt.nz (external link)
