News and Notices

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. 

"People can also call 0800 222 478 option 3 to log their results should they prefer to or lastly to contact their local health care provider to assist with the RATs test. 

“If completing the test yourself, it is crucial to add your results through the Ministry of Health’s MyCovidRecord website. 

My Covid Record | Ministry of Health NZ  

“If a positive result is uploaded you will then be sent a few questions to complete. This connects you to the health and welfare response provided by our Nelson Marlborough hub.  

“The hub is virtual but connects you to health expertise and services in your area. You are not on your own. The hub provides information and guidance including what to look out for if things start to deteriorate. 

“You are connected throughout your entire isolation period. If things start to get worse for you, you can easily connect in with primary care and be transferred to hospital level care if needed.”

 

Register early in case your health deteriorates

Nelson Marlborough Chief Medical Officer Nick Baker says there can be a delay between a positive COVID-19 test result and before symptoms appear – registering your positive case early is an important safeguard. 

“It is likely that when you start to have symptoms of COVID-19 and get tested you might not feel that bad.  

“Progression of the disease means that days five through to eight tend to be the hardest and then most people will start to recover. However, for some people day eight is when things start to deteriorate.  

“Connecting into the hub early by registering your positive COVID-19 test result will mean you have a team of professionals who can monitor your progress, give you advice, and escalate your care if necessary.”  

 

Case update 

Active cases: 1,182: 

  • Nelson Tasman 1,006 
  • Marlborough  153 
  • Other 16 
  • Unknown  7 

The numbers reported may differ from Ministry of Health reporting due to different data reporting cut-off times. Unknown cases are where positive results have been recorded but data is not yet available to assign the case to Nelson Tasman, Marlborough or Other. 

 

When and where to get tested if you have symptoms of COVID-19 

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’s website:

About COVID-19 symptoms and spread | Ministry of Health NZ COVID-19  

Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) are available at community-based assessment centres (CBACs). 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 to Sunday from 9am until 5pm 
  • Horton Park - old netball courts (off Redwood Road), Blenheim: Monday to Sunday from 9am until 4pm 

 
All locations and hours are available on the Healthpoint website, including by appointment opportunities at medical centres (GP), please phone ahead first:

COVID-19 Testing • Nelson Marlborough • Healthpoint 

 

Monitoring your COVID-19 symptoms if you test positive  

For most people, symptoms of COVID-19 will be mild and can be managed at home. It is important to keep an eye on symptoms, particularly if they seem to be getting worse, and get help straight away if needed. 

More information on managing your COVID-19 symptoms is available on the Ministry of Health’s COVID-19 Health Hub:

COVID-19 symptoms - Covid-19 Health Hub | Ministry of Health (covid19.health.nz) 

Related links 

I have tested positive for COVID-19 - Covid-19 Health Hub | Ministry of Health (covid19.health.nz)  

 

Diagram of Health Pathways 

People in the community who test positive for COVID-19 may access health care in different ways. Most cases will be able to self-manage and will follow the yellow and blue pathways in the diagram below. Cases requiring more clinical support will receive active clinical management on the red pathway. Care pathways can escalate and de-escalate as needed.  

 

COVID 19 Care In the Community - diagram showing different healthcare pathways

COVID 19 Care In the Community - diagram showing different healthcare pathways