News and Notices

No new cases in Nelson Marlborough


Nelson Marlborough Health is not reporting any new cases today.*

Dr Stephen Bridgman, Medical Officer of Health says: "I’m pleased to see the number of tests reach 636 on Monday across Nelson Marlborough. I’m still concerned there may be undetected cases. Testing will give us the greatest chance of detecting any undetected cases and controlling the outbreak.

"I would like to thank both whānau for doing the right thing and coming forward for testing. I would also like to acknowledge their ongoing work with the public health team to help control the outbreak.

"We continue to announce new locations of interest on the Ministry of Health website alongside advice for close or casual contacts."

Case update

  • New cases – 0*
  • Active cases – 13  (12 confirmed, 1 probable)*

*Due to data reporting cut-off times, the number of cases reported by Nelson Marlborough Health today may differ to what the Ministry of Health has reported.

Testing

  • Monday – 636 tests across Nelson Marlborough. 
  • Weekend – 449 with 277 on Sunday, 172 on Saturday. 

Lexie O’Shea, Chief Executive Officer says: "The team, mobilised by Nelson Bays Primary Health Organisation and general practices, have been able to expand testing capacity. Locations of interest continue to be updated on the Ministry of Health website driving demand as close contacts and those with symptoms present for testing.  

"Community-Based Assessment Centres (CBAC) testing stations remain active in Motueka and Nelson. Testing is also available from primary care, after-hours medical centres or iwi health providers. Please remember to phone ahead as you may be able to be tested from your car without the need to enter the building.

"Across the Nelson Marlborough health system we have been planning for Omicron. Community providers including Te Piki Oranga, Primary Health Organisations, Pharmacies, general practices, Iwi and Marae, have been collaborating on this activity."

Vaccination

  • Monday – 2596 adult and 621 paediatric doses across Nelson Marlborough.
  • Weekend – 2001 adult and 781 paediatric doses. 

Lexie says: "We are feeling very grateful to those who have responded to the Omicron announcements by attending vaccination centres in general practices, pharmacy or vaccination centres.

"In response to Omicron, we have increased capacity across the vaccination network. This includes a number of kaupapa Māori, marae-based clinics and increasing pharmacy and general practice offering. This week we have extended the operating hours of the Nelson and Richmond sites to 8pm, giving people more time to get vaccinated outside of traditional work hours.

"We are grateful for the kindness being shown to our frontline teams who are working under pressure to safely and methodically service walk-in and booked vaccinations.

"It is worth remembering there are a number of places you can go for vaccinations. Vaccination centres are open in Blenheim, Richmond and Nelson. Healthpoint has all the latest listings which includes pharmacies, some of whom are providing walk-in options. You can also book ahead of time on the Book My Vaccine website."

Supported Isolation and Quarantine

In Phase one, where we have up to 1000 cases a day or less in New Zealand, we continue to slow the spread of the virus through contact tracing, isolation and testing.

Nelson Marlborough Health coordinates the supported isolation programme (SIP) ensuring people are able to safely isolate in a home environment. This includes supported isolation and quarantine (SIQ) for people who may not be able to isolate in their own home.

These are not MIQ facilities and could be motels, campervans or houses. Someone isolating in one of these facilities will receive the same health and welfare support as someone who is isolating in their own home.

Any facility that is used for alternative isolation accommodation will have infection prevention measures in place. As part of the isolation planning that was done in advance, accommodation was assessed and chosen based the facilities ability to enable effective infection prevention measures.

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

  • Monday 24 January – Friday 28 January 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