28 Jan 2022

Nelson residents with Covid-19 symptoms urged to get tested

5:01 pm on 28 January 2022

There are no new cases of Covid-19 in Nelson, but an exposure event has been identified at Motueka Kindergarten.

Nelson Marlborough Health said its public health team was working closely with the centre and the Ministry of Education after the event 10 days ago was identified through contact tracing.

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Photo: RNZ / Nate McKinnon

There remain 17 active cases in Nelson and Marlborough across three households.

Investigations into the four cases in the third household are underway, with the possibility of local transmission yet to be ruled out. All cases have been either confirmed as Omicron or are being treated as such.

Nelson Marlborough medical officer of health Dr Stephen Bridgman said it was important anyone with symptoms came forward for testing.

Yesterday there were 173 tests undertaken, fewer than the 403 tests done on Wednesday.

Dr Bridgman said widespread testing of people with symptoms allowed the health board to understand if there was undetected community transmission.

"It is particularly important in this stamp it out phase while we try and allow as many people as possible to receive their vaccinations and prepare their households for Omicron."

A week on from the announcement of the first case in Motueka, Dr Bridgman said the quick action of the initial whānau coming forward for testing and their ongoing support had allowed the public health unit to manage the cluster through testing, contact tracing and isolation.

He said it was important people made use of this time to get prepared for when Omicron cases peaked in the months ahead.

The Unite Against Covid-19 website has a step by step planning guide and checklist to ensure your household is ready.

Nelson Tasman residents and visitors are asked to monitor the Ministry of Health's locations of interest page and follow the instructions if they have visited any of those places.

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