Southerners urged to get tested if they feel unwell

‘‘It is not if, but when we get a case in the Southern district,’’ Southern DHB medical officer of health Dr Michael Butchard says.

After the announcement of two positive Covid-19 cases in Christchurch yesterday morning, Butchard is urging everyone in Southland and Otago to get tested if they feel unwell, to get vaccinated, and to follow alert level 2 guidelines.

‘‘I cannot emphasise enough the importance of staying home and getting tested if people have any Covid-19 symptoms, however mild.’’

A positive case reported in Blenheim on Saturday marked the first time Covid-19 had been detected in the South Island in more than a year.

‘‘With the case in Blenheim and the two cases in Christchurch there is no time for complacency – if people don’t get tested we won’t know that Covid-19 has made it to the district,’’ Butchard said. ‘‘The sooner we pick up the first case the sooner we can get on top of it. We don’t want a situation where a positive person has been in the community spreading the disease.’’

Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins has confirmed that the Christchurch cases were both unvaccinated and that one had been infectious in the community for just under two weeks.

Butchard also emphasised the importance of getting vaccinated. ‘‘If you haven’t had your vaccination please go and get it today.’’

So far 88.3 per cent of eligible Southland and Otago residents have had their first dose of the vaccine, and 74.5 per cent are fully vaccinated. ‘‘Southerners have done a fantastic job in getting vaccinated, but we need everyone who is eligible who hasn’t already had the vaccination to do their bit. If you know wha¯ nau or friends who are hesitant, reach out to them today and have a friendly chat about why you got vaccinated,’’ Butchard said.

Getting vaccinated would make you far less likely to get really sick and have to go to hospital if you caught Covid-19, and you would be less likely to transmit the virus, he said.

Studies show that 95 per cent of people who have received two doses of the vaccine are protected against getting Covid19 symptoms, he added.

‘‘If you are not vaccinated, you are eleven times more likely to die from Covid-19, and ten times more likely to be admitted to hospital.’’