Wairarapa residents reminded to seek Covid-19 tests if they are ill

2:36 pm on 22 April 2020

As Covid-19 testing continues in Wairarapa, Dale Oliff, the local DHB's chief executive, has warned residents not to become complacent.

Everyone in Wairarapa who had tested positive for Covid-19 has recovered, but that does not mean there may not be a new outbreak, she said.

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CEO Dale Oliff says it's vital people don't delay in seeking treatment if they are ill. Photo: Supplied / Wairarapa Times-Age

Anyone suffering from a sore throat, cough or difficulty breathing should call their GP.

"People are being tested for Covid-19 on a daily basis, meaning new cases can emerge. We need people to get tested if they have any symptoms of Covid-19."

Oliff said Wairarapa people should not delay in seeking the care they need.

"We are looking forward to resuming surgical activity in the hospital in the near future, and we do need to remind people that if they are sick they should be seen."

Masterton Mayor Lyn Patterson also said it was crucial people resisted the urge to become complacent.

"I know that it's easy to get a sense that we are in the clear, but we still have a way to go.

"As our government has indicated, New Zealanders have done a phenomenal job at uniting against Covid-19, but we need to keep going.

"Even though we are transitioning to level 3 next week, we know our residents will continue to stick to the level 4 guidelines until then by staying in their bubbles. Alert level 3 still carries strict measures with the overall aim of restricting personal contact."

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Local Democracy Reporting is a public interest news service supported by RNZ, the Newspaper Publishers' Association and NZ on Air. Photo: LDR

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