Silao Vaisola-Sefo, CEO of South Seas Healthcare, hopes to see more people get their booster shots this weekend. Video / Jed Bradley
With more than 61,000 people in the Bay of Plenty District Health Board area now eligible for a booster, the board is running a "big boost in the Bay" this weekend.
As of yesterday, 58 per cent of the board's eligible population had received a booster shot, the DHB said.
More than 87,000 booster doses have been given throughout the region, with a further 61,869 people eligible.
This comes as a record 446 new Covid-19 community cases were reported nationally yesterday, with 14 in the Bay of Plenty DHB region.
Seven cases were in Tauranga, five in the Western Bay and two in the Eastern Bay of Plenty, Toi Te Ora Public Health medical officer of health Dr Phil Shoemack said.
People aged 18 or older who had their second Covid-19 vaccination at least three months ago should get their booster as soon as possible, according to the Ministry of Health.
A booster dose of the Pfizer vaccine provides a higher level of protection against severe disease or hospitalisation from the Omicron variant than the two-dose course.
Being fully vaccinated with two shots provides great protection against Delta, but boosters are the best way to fight Omicron, the ministry said.
The Covid-19 vaccination centre on First Ave in Tauranga is open on Saturday and Sunday from 8am to 3.30pm. Photo / George Novak
Yesterday, the ministry said the increase in cases was a reminder the Omicron variant was spreading in communities as expected and seen in other countries.
"The number of cases will continue to fluctuate from day to day, but our expectation is that cases will continue to increase in the coming weeks.
"All of us can all play our part to slow the spread of the virus, help protect our most vulnerable people from being infected, and ensure our health system is able to manage extra demand for services."
The ministry appealed for anyone with any cold or flu symptoms that could be Covid-19 to get a test and isolate at home until a negative result is returned.
The most common early symptoms of the Omicron variant are a sore or scratchy throat and a runny nose.
Positive Covid case at Tauranga Girls' College
A letter was sent to Tauranga Girls' College parents from principal Tara Kanji on Thursday, confirming a Covid case in the school community.
The staff member was at the college between February 1 and 3, the letter said.
The letter said the school would continue to stay open, ensuring learning and teaching continued for all.
"No students have been identified as a close contact after careful analysis and this data has been sent to the Public Health Unit.
"School continues to be open and learning is onsite. Vigilant mask-wearing has been critical to containing the virus.
"The health and wellbeing of our students, staff and community continues to be a top priority."
The letter said the school was following relevant public health measures, had cleaning procedures in place and was providing sanitiser and supporting mandatory mask-wearing.
A parent, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said he was ''very concerned'' after receiving the email.
He said each case of Covid-19 was "individually followed-up to assess what action is required".
Those who were close contacts would be asked to isolate, but most people at a school would not require that classification, he said.
"In a school situation, it would be most unusual for all members of the school community to be close contacts.
"Most students, teachers and other staff would usually be deemed to be casual contacts.
"Casual contacts are advised to carry on with their normal daily activities being vigilant for the onset of any symptoms and to isolate and get tested if symptoms do arise."
