No new cases of COVID-19 for Taranaki

There are no new cases of COVID-19 to report for the Taranaki region today.

This follows a surge in testing across the region on Friday 11 November after six people from Stratford all tested positive for COVID-19 after the virus was detected in the wastewater.

Taranaki DHB’s Incident Management Team controller, Gillian Campbell, says over one thousand people were tested for COVID-19 in Taranaki yesterday.

She says “We’re grateful the community is helping to support testing as this is key to identifying any widespread transmission of the virus.”

Testing clinics are open across the weekend and will extend hours depending on public demand and Mrs Campbell says “We really want to test people with cold or flu-like symptions and those who have been to any locations of interest.”

Five close contacts of the people with COVID-19 have been part of investigations with the Public Health Unit since yesterday. All five have now returned negative test results, including the two people isolating in the Wairarapa.

Mrs Campbell confirms the affected people and close contacts are all being supported by appropriate healthcare services. The person hospitalised on Thursday night for assessment has been discharged from Taranaki Base Hospital and is back at home isolating.

“It’s really important we wrap the right support around the people affected. They are following our advice and wanting to do the right thing to protect their community.”

“They have been helpful with information during contact tracing investigations and we ask our community to be kind and respectful of their current situation and their needs as a family/whānau.

“It’s not ok to make accusations or presumptions of these people. Please remember, it’s the virus that’s the problem, not the people.”

Mrs Campbell reinforces “Vaccination is our best protection against the virus and our best chance of getting back to a more normal way of living.

“Please take the opportunity to get vaccinated if you haven’t already. There are clinics open all around the maunga, so let’s get the job done Taranaki.”

For testing locations and times please visit TDHB - COVID-19.

For vaccination locations and times please visit TDHB - COVID-19 vaccine.