No new cases in Nelson Tasman
Case Update
- New cases – 0
- Active cases – 17 (16 confirmed, 1 probable)
- 173 tests across Nelson Marlborough on Thursday.
- 2064 total vaccinations across Nelson Marlborough with 1554 boosters and 377 paediatric doses on Thursday.
There are no further cases of COVID-19 in Nelson Marlborough to announce today. An exposure event* at the Motueka Kindergarten on 18 January has been identified through contact tracing.
Dr Stephen Bridgman, Medical Officer of Health said “The Public Health team are working closely with Motueka Kindergarten and the Regional Director of Education at the Ministry of Education.”
Public Health continue with source investigations for the third household, who had two cases announced on Tuesday and two cases on Wednesday. The investigations are yet to rule out the possibility of local transmission.
“It is really important for anyone with symptoms to come forward for testing,” Dr Bridgman said. “We had 173 tests completed across Nelson Marlborough yesterday, a reduction on the numbers from the day before. New locations of interest have been added to the Ministry of Health website and anyone with symptoms across Te Tauihu should come forward for testing.
Widespread testing of people with symptoms allows us to understand whether there is undetected community transmission. It is particularly important in this ‘stamp it out’ phase while we try and allow as many people as possible to receive their vaccinations and prepare their households for Omicron.
We are now a week in to this cluster and I reflect on the impact of the initial whānau presenting for testing. Their quick action and ongoing support has allowed us to manage the cluster through testing, contact tracing and isolation in this ‘stamp it out’ phase.
Their action has also allowed New Zealand to respond to Omicron. Nationally the announcement of Omicron cases has driven significant demand for vaccination ensuring the best protection for individuals, whānau and our health system.
So thank you to all the whānau who have been working with us in this cluster. We are grateful to those people who have presented so far for testing and to contacts and close contacts who are protecting our community through isolation and quarantine. The action from our community and local businesses has been pivotal to our ability to manage the spread of COVID-19.
It’s important to make best use of this time now to get prepared for when Omicron cases do peak in the months ahead. The Unite Against COVID-19 website has a step by step planning guide and checklist to ensure your household is ready. Take a moment this weekend to talk to your whānau, friends and neighbours about your Omicron plan.
*Not all exposure events will become locations of interest if health officials can identify everyone who may have been exposed.
Locations of interest
Nelson Tasman residents and visitors are asked to monitor Ministry of Health’s locations of interest page, and follow the instructions given on that page if you’ve been at a location of interest. There is a list on this page and also a map for quick-reference: COVID-19: Contact tracing locations of interest | Ministry of Health NZ
Marlborough residents and visitors should monitor this page also if they have travelled to the Nelson Tasman region in the past 14 days.
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
COVID-19 testing locations
1. Walk-in, no appointments needed
Nelson CBAC: Saxton Field parking area (near Oaklands Milk), Suffolk Rd, Stoke
- Daily (Monday-Sunday) 9am-6pm
Motueka CBAC: Motueka Recreation Centre, Old Wharf Road, Motueka
- Daily through to 4 February 9am-5pm
CBAC hours will be kept up-to-date on the Healthpoint website: Nelson Marlborough COVID-19 CBACs | HealthPoint
2. By appointment at medical centres (GP) please phone ahead first
All locations and hours available on the Healthpoint website. Find an option closest to you: 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 4 month ago.
Vaccination clinic locations across the region are listed on Healthpoint here.