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.
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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.
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Nelson Marlborough District Health Board Meeting Tuesday 22 February 2022
A meeting of the Board Members of Nelson Marlborough Health to be held Tuesday 22 February 2022 at 1.00pm via Zoom.
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Testing remains the back-bone of the Phase Two approach
A further two schools have been identified as impacted by COVID-19 with the Public Health team working closing with the Ministry of Education and Nayland College and Victory Primary School.
Dr Stephen Bridgman, Medical Officer of Health, Nelson Marlborough Health said, “The Nelson Marlborough community did a fantastic job in Phase One of ‘stamping out’ Omicron. This delayed the spread of infection in the community meaning more people were able to get boosted and prepared.
“We know that we cannot stop Omicron. The escalation of cases in Nelson over the past two days shows how quickly it can spread and how disruptive it can be to workplaces and schools. It also shows how prepared education and workplaces are in supporting employees, students and communities through Omicron.
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Exposure events in Nelson marks the shift to Phase Two
Case Update
- Marlborough - 2 active cases
- Nelson/Tasman - 19 active cases
Nelson Marlborough Health has been advised of a number of exposure events including a workplace and school in Nelson which are being investigated by Public Health as COVID-19 exposure events. Nelson Hospital Emergency Department has also had COVID-19 positive presentations.
Dr Stephen Bridgman, Medical Officer of Health, Nelson Marlborough Health said, “We are shifting into a new phase of our Omicron response. We should act as if Omicron is in our community. This doesn’t mean we need to be afraid, but does mean we need to be prepared."
"It is not too late to vaccinate. Getting your booster or childhood immunisation remains the most important thing you can do for yourself, your whānau and your local health services.
"In Nelson Marlborough we saw a really strong uptake of the childhood immunisation with 46% of children between 5 and 11 at least partially vaccinated. However as schools have started back we have seen a sharp decline in the number of children presenting for immunisation.
"While children and young people are less likely to become seriously ill, some will become very sick and need to go to hospital.
"Children infected with COVID-19 may transmit the virus to other people such as grandparents or classmates whose current health condition may make them more vulnerable to COVID-19.
"Schools are doing a great job at providing opportunities for children to continue their learning from home when well and isolating. Through vaccination we can collectively reduce the burden of COVID-19 in the community helping to keep our schools and workplaces open.
"The Trafalgar Centre in Nelson and Stadium 2000 in Blenheim remain open for walk-ins this week. There is a lot of capacity in these centres so do not delay, get vaccinated today.
"The Public Health team are working with the Ministry of Education and a Nelson school regarding a school exposure event. All close contacts have been identified by the school and have been asked to isolate.
"Yesterday a workplace was identified with a number of positive COVID-19 cases. The workplace has been working with the Public Health team to enable staff to isolate and get tested. Today multiple staff have tested positive to COVID-19. Further cases are expected to be identified as PCR test results are received and processed this afternoon and tomorrow.
"At 11.59 tonight (Tuesday 15 February) we shift to Phase two of the Public Health Omicron response plan. The purpose of this phase is to ‘flatten the curve’ of infection.
"As case numbers increase, flattening the curve is important to ensure our community, workplaces, schools and health system are in the best position of managing COVID-19.
"Testing remains important in Phase Two. If you are unwell or have symptoms don’t go to school or work. Please do get tested and wait for your result. A PCR test will continue to be the main form of test used to check whether you are positive for COVID-19.
"The drive through testing station in Nelson at the Saxton Field parking area up by Oaklands Milk remains open 9am to 6pm daily.
"In Marlborough there Urgent Care Centre is providing COVID-19 testing between 1pm and 4pm daily.
"All locations and hours available on the Healthpoint website including by appointment opportunities at medical centres (GP), please phone ahead first.
"What people will notice as different in Phase Two is the shift to digital technologies. As case numbers grow, low-risk people who test positive for COVID-19 will be able to complete an online form instead of doing a public health phone or in person interview. This allows for targeted support to people without access to a mobile phone or a website.
"Other changes include the period of self-isolation for people who test positive, reducing from 14 days to 10 days. People who live in the same household as a confirmed case will also immediately self-isolate for 10 days.
"Close contacts now need to isolate for seven days, noting that people who live in the same household as a close contact, do not need to isolate but should be on the lookout for symptoms.
"With Omicron now present in a number of community settings we should all be monitoring for symptoms and getting tested."
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No new cases today, public urged to keep up the good work
Nelson Marlborough Medical Officer of Health Dr Andrew Lindsay said people in Nelson Marlborough still have an opportunity in Phase One to slow the spread and impact of the virus by vaccinating sooner rather than later.
“We are still in Phase One, ‘stamp it out’. We have cases in the community who are in isolation. This allows time for people to become fully vaccinated and protected from the virus.
“We have a short window of opportunity before community cases are expected to become widespread.
“So far, there’s been great uptake of booster shots, with the overall total at 70% in Nelson Marlborough. The total for our Māori population is 58%.
“We are very thankful people are protecting themselves, their whānau and the wider community. But this is no time to wait. We need to get as many people as possible boosted and vaccinated before we see numbers escalate.
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Tāhunanui case source unconfirmed
There is one new COVID-19 case to announce in Nelson Marlborough today. This case is linked to a previously reported case.
Tāhunanui case
Nelson Marlborough Medical Officer of Health Dr Stephen Bridgman said the source of the Tāhunanui case remains unknown with case investigation ongoing.
“I strongly advise everyone who stayed at the park between January 30 and February 5 to self-monitor for COVID-19 symptoms for 10 days after you were exposed. If symptoms develop, get a test and stay at home until you get a negative test result.
“Mobile testing and vaccination was available at the Tāhuna Beach Holiday Park over the weekend. One hundred and thirty-eight people who stayed at the motor camp have been tested so far, and nobody was positive.
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Waitangi Weekend
This Waitangi Weekend there will be no local updates on the January Omicron Cluster.
The Ministry of Health will continue to report any confirmed cases in the Nelson Marlborough region. These updates can be found on the Unite Against COVID-19 website.
Why not use this long weekend to make sure your whānau and friends are prepared for Omicron?
- Check your vaccinations are up-to-date. Stadium vaccination centers are available in Nelson and Blenheim this weekend. The team at BookMyVaccine are able to answer your vaccination questions and help you book an appointment online or on the phone 0800 28 29 26. Or check out the Healthpoint website for a range of venues and times.
- Prepare your household with this handy checklist and step-by-step guide from the Unite Against COVID-19 website.
- Keep an eye on the Locations of Interest and know where to go to get a test. Locations of interest are updated regularly on the Ministry of Health website. There are currently locations of interest across Nelson, Tasman and Marlborough. Testing stations can be found on the Healthpoint website.
The Communications team will be back onboard from Tuesday 8 February.
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Three new cases in Marlborough
There are three COVID-19 cases, in two households, to announce in Marlborough today. All of the cases are known close contacts of existing cases, and do not represent undetected community transmission in Blenheim according to Dr Stephen Bridgman, Medical Officer of Health.
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No new cases, vaccination centres shift to allow more boosters
Case Update
- New cases – 0
- Active cases – 20
- Recovered cases – 1
Dr Stephen Bridgman, Medical Officer of Health said, “I am very humbled by the collective Nelson Marlborough response which has allowed us to slow down the spread of Omicron in our community during this “stamp it out” phase.
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