Treat Omicron with respect – not fear – and do all you can to flatten the curve
Nelson Marlborough Health Chief Medical Officer Nick Baker says increasing numbers of cases means people must act as if Omicron is in their neighbourhood.
“The pandemic we have had for the last two years has been a pandemic of planning and prevention. Now we are managing COVID-19, we need to treat it with respect, not fear.
“For most people COVID-19 remains a mild disease. For a small number of people it is very serious.”
“The peak is coming and by being cautious now we can continue to flatten the peak. This is important because the peak is not the end – we will continue to see cases of this potentially nasty disease for some time.
“We can all help to flatten the curve. Slowing the spread benefits all parts of our society, keeping services and supply chains working.
Read more about 'Treat Omicron with respect – not fear – and do all you can to flatten the curve'...
Nelson Hospital activates COVID-19 Ward
Nelson Hospital’s Omicron response is shifting to the next phase with the activation of a COVID-19 Ward.
Lexie O’Shea, Chief Executive Officer, Nelson Marlborough Health said with COVID-19 positive patients admitted to the hospital and a number presenting to the Emergency Department now was the time to prepare for increased demand.
“As of today Nelson Hospital has three COVID-19 positive patients admitted to respiratory isolation rooms.
“With the number of cases active in the community we have reached the point where we need to activate the next stage of our response plan and establish a specific COVID-19 ward.
Read more about 'Nelson Hospital activates COVID-19 Ward'...
Registering rapid test results key step on digital health pathway
Nelson Marlborough Health general manager Strategy Primary and Community Cathy O’Malley says in Phase Three of the Omicron response, rapid antigen tests (RATs) are now the main diagnostic tool.
“Registering your results is a crucial step to ensure quick access to healthcare pathways or welfare options. RATs make it easier and quicker than ever to get a result, and you can take the test home to complete. This will help reduce long queues at testing stations.
“For those without access to digital or mobile phone options, there’s also the option of a supervised RATs test at Community Based Assessment Centres (CBACs) where people will help you load your results.
Read more about 'Registering rapid test results key step on digital health pathway'...
COVID-19 Case Update 25 February 2022
- Today there are 83 new cases of COVID-19 in our rohe: Nelson Tasman 75, Marlborough 7 and Other 1.
- There are a total of 648 active cases: Nelson Tasman 558, Marlborough 78 and Other 12.
- Today's numbers may differ from Ministry of Health reporting due to different data reporting cut-off times and testing type breakdowns.
- For case numbers over the weekend, please refer to the Ministry of Health's updates.
Where to get tested this weekend
We ask anyone with symptoms – no matter how mild – to please get tested, even if they are vaccinated. Read about symptoms to be alert to on the Ministry of Health website.
Community based assessment centres (CBACs) are open this weekend. Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) and PCR tests are available at CBACs. The healthcare professionals undertaking testing will advise which test is most appropriate for you.
CBAC locations and hours:
- Trafalgar Centre carpark - Nelson: Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 9am until 6pm
- Saxton Field parking area - near Oaklands Milk (Suffolk Road, Stoke): Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 9am until 6pm
- Motueka Recreation Centre (Old Wharf Road, Motueka): Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 9am until 5pm
- Horton Park - old netball courts (off Redwood Road), Blenheim: Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 9am until 4pm
The Close Contact Exemption Scheme remains available for critical workers that would otherwise be required to isolate due to being a household contact. For more info see: www.healthpoint.co.nz/community-health-services/community-health/nelson-marlborough-dhb-rapid-antigen-testing
Where to get vaccinated this weekend
People living in Marlborough, Nelson, and Tasman are reminded to get vaccinated if they have not already. Everyone aged 5 years and over is eligible for free COVID-19 vaccination. Booster doses are also now available to anyone aged 18+ who had their second dose 3 months ago.
Here are some upcoming walk-in opportunities to get vaccinated over the weekend:
- Trafalgar Centre: Friday 25 February from 9am until 6pm, Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 February: 9.30am until 4.30pm
- Richmond Vaccination Centre (253 Queen St): Friday 25 February from 9am until 6.30pm, Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 February from 9.30am until 4.30pm
- Blenheim Vaccination Centre (Unit 3, 19 Henry St): Friday 25 and Saturday 26 February from 8.30am until 4.30pm (closed Sundays)
- Golden Bay Pharmacy, Tākaka: Saturday 26 February from 9am until 4pm
- Redwoodtown Hall, Blenheim: Saturday 26 February from 12.30pm until 4pm (kaupapa Māori clinic)
- Greenmeadows Community Centre, Stoke, Nelson: Saturday 26 February from 12.30pm until 4pm (kaupapa Māori and Pasifika clinic).
Read more about 'COVID-19 Case Update 25 February 2022'...
COVID-19 case update 24 February 2022
There are 119 new cases of COVID-19 today. We have a total 571 active cases in our region:
- 488 in Nelson Tasman
- 72 in Marlborough
- 11 other.
Today's numbers may differ slightly from what the Ministry of Health has reported due to different data reporting cut-off times.
Omicron response - Phase 3
From 11.59pm tonight, Thursday 24 February, we move into Phase 3 of the omicron response. This means:
- Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) will be the primary form of testing in the community and will soon be available at more locations.
- Cases will be identified via a positive PCR or RAT and will need to isolate for 10 days.
- Household contacts of cases will immediately self-isolate for 10 days at the same time the positive household case is confirmed. They need to get a RAT on day 3 and 10.
- The Close Contact Exemption Scheme remains available for critical workers that would otherwise be required to isolate due to being a household contact.
- Other Close Contacts are no longer required to self-isolate, but do need to monitor for symptoms for 10 days and get tested if they become symptomatic.
- From March, approved RATs will be available for public purchase through retail outlets.
More information about Phase 3 can be found on the Ministry of Health's website.
When and where to get tested
We ask anyone with symptoms – no matter how mild – to please get tested, even if they are vaccinated. Read about symptoms to be alert to on the Ministry of Health website: About COVID-19 symptoms and spread | Ministry of Health NZ COVID-19
Community based assessment centres (CBACs) are open at the following locations:
- Trafalgar Centre carpark - Nelson: Monday to Sunday from 9am until 6pm
- Saxton Field parking area - near Oaklands Milk (Suffolk Road, Stoke): Monday to Sunday from 9am until 6pm
- Motueka Recreation Centre (Old Wharf Road, Motueka): Monday toSunday from 9am until 5pm
- Horton Park - old netball courts (off Redwood Road), Blenheim: Monday to Sunday from 9am until 4pm
All locations and hours available on the Healthpoint website including by appointment opportunities at medical centres (GP), please phone ahead first: COVID-19 Testing | Nelson Marlborough | HealthPoint
Vaccination advice
People living in Marlborough, Nelson, and Tasman are reminded to get vaccinated if they have not already. Everyone aged 5 years and over is eligible for free COVID-19 vaccination. Booster doses are also now available to anyone aged 18+ who had their second dose 3 months ago.
Our main vaccination centres are open for walk-ins, check their location and opening hours here: COVID-19 Vaccination Centres | Nelson Marlborough | HealthPoint
Read more about 'COVID-19 case update 24 February 2022'...
COVID-19 case update 23 February 2022
There are 92 new cases of COVID-19 today. We have a total 443 active cases in our region:
- 372 in Nelson Tasman
- 62 in Marlborough
- 9 other.
Notes on today's numbers:
- Today's numbers may differ slightly from what the Ministry of Health has reported due to different data reporting cut-off times.
- The majority of the active cases in Nelson Tasman (over 300) are in Nelson.
When and where to get tested
We ask anyone with symptoms – no matter how mild – to please get tested, even if they are vaccinated. Read about symptoms to be alert to on the Ministry of Health website: About COVID-19 symptoms and spread | Ministry of Health NZ COVID-19
Community based assessment centres (CBACs) are open at the following locations:
- Trafalgar Centre carpark - Nelson: Monday to Sunday from 9am until 6pm
- Saxton Field parking area - near Oaklands Milk (Suffolk Road, Stoke): Monday to Sunday from 9am until 6pm
- Motueka Recreation Centre (Old Wharf Road, Motueka): Monday toSunday from 9am until 5pm
- Horton Park - old netball courts (off Redwood Road), Blenheim: Monday to Sunday from 9am until 4pm
All locations and hours available on the Healthpoint website including by appointment opportunities at medical centres (GP), please phone ahead first: COVID-19 Testing | Nelson Marlborough | HealthPoint
Vaccination advice
People living in Marlborough, Nelson, and Tasman are reminded to get vaccinated if they have not already. Everyone aged 5 years and over is eligible for free COVID-19 vaccination. Booster doses are also now available to anyone aged 18+ who had their second dose 3 months ago.
Our main vaccination centres are open for walk-ins, check their location and opening hours here: COVID-19 Vaccination Centres | Nelson Marlborough | HealthPoint
Read more about 'COVID-19 case update 23 February 2022'...
COVID-19 case update 22 February 2022
- 296 in Nelson Tasman
- 49 in Marlborough
- 6 other.
Notes on today's numbers:
- Today's numbers may differ slightly from what the Ministry of Health has reported due to different data reporting cut-off times.
- We will provide a breakdown between Nelson and Tasman in tomorrow's update.
Rapid antigen tests (RATs)
There is strict criteria around who can access a RAT. This is currently limited to:
- asymptomatic critical workers who have been identified as a close contact
- asymptomatic unvaccinated individuals attending a court appointment or travelling domestically.
When and where to get tested
We ask anyone with symptoms – no matter how mild – to please get tested, even if they are vaccinated. Read about symptoms to be alert to on the Ministry of Health website: About COVID-19 symptoms and spread | Ministry of Health NZ COVID-19
Community based assessment centres (CBACs) are open at the following locations:
- Trafalgar Centre carpark - Nelson: Monday to Sunday from 9am until 6pm
- Saxton Field parking area - near Oaklands Milk (Suffolk Road, Stoke): Monday to Sunday from 9am until 6pm
- Motueka Recreation Centre (Old Wharf Road, Motueka): Monday toSunday from 9am until 5pm
- Horton Park - old netball courts (off Redwood Road), Blenheim: Monday to Sunday from 9am until 4pm
All locations and hours available on the Healthpoint website including by appointment opportunities at medical centres (GP), please phone ahead first: COVID-19 Testing | Nelson Marlborough | HealthPoint
Vaccination advice
People living in Marlborough, Nelson, and Tasman are reminded to get vaccinated if they have not already. Everyone aged 5 years and over is eligible for free COVID-19 vaccination. Booster doses are also now available to anyone aged 18+ who had their second dose 3 months ago.
Our main vaccination centres are open for walk-ins, check their location and opening hours here: COVID-19 Vaccination Centres | Nelson Marlborough | HealthPoint
Read more about 'COVID-19 case update 22 February 2022'...
COVID-19 case update 21 February 2022
- 32 in Nelson
- 9 in Tasman
- 11 in Marlborough
- 1 other.
- 207 in Nelson
- 21 in Tasman
- 40 in Marlborough
- 7 other.
When and where to get tested
We ask anyone with symptoms – no matter how mild – to please get tested, even if they are vaccinated. Read about symptoms to be alert to on the Ministry of Health website: About COVID-19 symptoms and spread | Ministry of Health NZ COVID-19
Community based assessment centres (CBACs) are open at the following locations:
- Trafalgar Centre carpark - Nelson: Monday to Sunday from 9am until 6pm
- Saxton Field parking area - near Oaklands Milk (Suffolk Road, Stoke): Monday to Sunday from 9am until 6pm
- Motueka Recreation Centre (Old Wharf Road, Motueka): Monday toSunday from 9am until 5pm
- Horton Park - old netball courts (off Redwood Road), Blenheim: Monday to Sunday from 9am until 4pm
All locations and hours available on the Healthpoint website including by appointment opportunities at medical centres (GP), please phone ahead first: COVID-19 Testing | Nelson Marlborough | HealthPoint
Vaccination advice
People living in Marlborough, Nelson, and Tasman are reminded to get vaccinated if they have not already. Everyone aged 5 years and over is eligible for free COVID-19 vaccination. Booster doses are also now available to anyone aged 18+ who had their second dose 3 months ago.
Our main vaccination centres are open for walk-ins, check their location and opening hours here: COVID-19 Vaccination Centres | Nelson Marlborough | HealthPoint
Check out all your other vaccination options here: COVID-19 Vaccination | Nelson Marlborough | HealthPoint
Read more about 'COVID-19 case update 21 February 2022'...
Case numbers on the rise across Nelson Marlborough
As of this morning, the Medical Officer of Health had been notified of 152 active cases in total across Nelson Marlborough (123 - Nelson, 16 - Marlborough, 7 Tasman and 6 other).
Notification occurs when a test that was conducted in our region returns a positive result. Therefore the number may include people who have been tested in our region while travelling.
Dr Stephen Bridgman, Medical Officer of Health, Nelson Marlborough Health said, “With undetected community transmission in Nelson, and cases beginning to emerge in Marlborough, the number of cases and contacts in the community are likely to continue to rise sharply.
“We can all play our part to limit infection by staying home if we’re sick, washing our hands, wearing our masks indoors, scanning in and maintain social distancing where possible.”
“In Phase Two, we are seeing schools enabled to quickly identify close contacts of cases and advise school communities of the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Health guidance.
“This early identification means schools can continue to function with only close contacts required to get a test and isolate. We are hearing from the testing stations that some people are taking a precautionary approach and testing without symptoms and without being identified as a close contact.
Read more about 'Case numbers on the rise across Nelson Marlborough'...
Undetected transmission in Nelson community
The number of cases in Nelson has increased sharply with over 50 cases testing positive for COVID-19 on Wednesday 16 February. This indicates undetected transmission in the community.
Read more about 'Undetected transmission in Nelson community'...