Northland and Metropolitan Auckland DHBs increase COVID-19 testing capacity

Northland and Metropolitan Auckland DHBs increase COVID-19 testing capacity;

Additional community testing centres open in Mangawhai and Helensville

Community testing capacity in Northland and Auckland has been rapidly expanded in response to strong public demand.

Two additional pop up testing centres are open today in Helensville and Mangawhai and opening hours at all of the existing community testing centres in Northland and Auckland have been extended. (For locations and opening hours see the table below.)

17 testing centres are open in Northland and Auckland today, in addition to testing that is also taking place at GPs and Urgent Care Clinics.

The pop-up testing centre in Helensville opened at 10am and there has been a strong response from the community. Additional staff have been deployed to keep things running smoothly and extra staff are on standby. The Mangawhai pop-up testing centre opened at midday.

Northern Region Health Coordination Centre Lead (and Counties Manukau Health CEO) Fepulea'I Margie Apa said the additional capacity stretches from Kaitaia to Wiri and thanked everyone involved for their rapid response.

“I want to thank Northlanders and Aucklanders for their quick response. Our testing centres have been busy since the new case was announced and we expect this to continue through today,” she says.

“I also want to acknowledge and thank our colleagues in community testing centres and primary care across Northland and Auckland who are working tirelessly to ensure that everyone who needs a test receives one.

“We have contained previous outbreaks through a whole of community approach to combating the pandemic and I encourage everyone to continue to be vigilant.”

As we have seen with previous community cases COVID-19 is a tricky virus and it’s up to everyone to take simple actions to keep New Zealand safe.

Turn on Bluetooth in the NZ COVID Tracer app and scan QR codes wherever you go. Turning on Bluetooth functionality will allow you to receive an alert if you have been near another app user who tests positive for COVID-19.

Everyone in New Zealand can do their bit by remaining vigilant – stay home if you are sick and seek advice on getting a test, wash and dry your hands, and cough and sneeze into your elbow.

Information for people seeking a COVID-19 test

Only people who were at the premises listed on the Ministry of Health website around the times stated, need to isolate, contact Healthline and get tested.

If you were not at one of these premises and you do not have any symptoms you do not need to be tested. If you are feeling unwell call Healthline on 0800 358 5453

The key messages for people who were at these premises around the times stated:

• Isolate away from others, and remain isolated until they have a negative test
• Call Healthline 0800 358 5453
• Get tested

Please be kind to each other and help the public health team focus on the testing that needs to be done today.

For up-to-date information on testing locations in Northland, visit www.northlanddhb.org.nz

For up-to-date information on testing locations in Auckland, visitwww.arphs.health.nz/covid19test

For up-to-date information on all testing locations, please call Healthline (0800 358 5453) or visit www.healthpoint.co.nz/covid-19/

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