Testing results have confirmed Tairāwhiti has two new confirmed cases of COVID-19.
One is a male in his 50s, the other is a woman in her 40s.
The two cases are unrelated, and neither are connected to the chartered Government repatriation flight which landed in Gisborne on Monday 6 April.
The origin of the virus is known for the woman.
We have already been in touch with her close contacts and they are self-isolating, says Hauora Tairāwhiti’s Medical Officer of Health, Dr Osman David Mansoor.
“Public health will be investigating the man’s contacts during incubation to identify the source of the virus. He has been in self-isolation staying within his small bubble. He has had no close contacts outside of his bubble since lockdown.”
He was swabbed at the War Memorial Theatre Assessment Centre late last week.
The man is in quarantine at home and is well.
“Please respect these people’s privacy. Receiving a diagnosis like this is stressful for them and those in their bubble. Please take heed of the Prime Minister’s advice. Be kind, have kind thoughts, kia kaha.”
“It is important that we are all supportive of those that get tested. We don’t want people to put off getting checked out because of what others reactions may be. There is no evidence of community spread, but anyone with respiratory symptoms should contact their GP.”
Dr Mansoor says people need to trust the public health team. They are following up and directly contacting close contacts of people who tested positive for COVID-19.
“There is a lot of work that goes into the background contact tracing of every case - we want to make sure we have identified everyone who potentially could have come into close contact with COVID-19. The best advice remains to stay at home, stay in your bubble and save lives.”
“If anyone has COVID-19 symptoms such as a cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, runny nose or loss of smell and taste, please contact your GP to be tested and remain at home in isolation while waiting for results,” Mr Mansoor advises.
The War Memorial Theatre Assessment Centre in Bright Street Gisborne is open 9am -5pm daily for referral by GP and also takes walk-ins 9am - 11am and 1pm – 3pm. Testing is also available at Te Puia Hospital Assessment Centre and at the Waikohu Clinic in Te Karaka. These two centres require contact via phone first please through the usual clinic/on call numbers.
All assessment centres have been designed to keep people with COVID-19 symptoms away from people using health services from other reasons.
All assessments, either by phone or at the assessment centres, are free.
For more information covid19.govt.nz
For information on health services available in Tairāwhiti during Alert Level 4 covid19tairawhiti.org.nz
Updated case information is available here: https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/diseases-and-conditions/covid-19-novel-coronavirus/covid-19-current-cases
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