Four new cases of Covid-19 have been confirmed in Tairāwhiti including two Ilminster Intermediate students.
Hauora Tairāwhiti district health board confirmed three new cases this morning in addition to a case confirmed last night.
All three newest cases are from the same household — two of them Ilminster students.
“Hauora Tairāwhiti has been working with Ilminster and the Ministry of Education since the positive tests were received late last night,” a Hauora Tairāwhiti spokesman said.
“Classmates of the two students have been asked to stay home today to reduce any potential spread and allow public health to understand the movements of the students. The school will remain open as normal.”
Hauora Tairāwhiti chief executive Jim Green said work was in full swing to identify close contacts of the cases and locations of interest.
“I understand parents may feel anxious but students should continue to attend school unless contacted by the school or public health staff.
“The advice remains for everyone in Tairāwhiti that if you have any symptoms at all, please get tested today and self-isolate at home until you've received a negative result.
“Drive-through testing is available at Te Tini o Porou at 75 Huxley Road from 2pm to 4pm today and Watson Park until midday.
“Testing is also available through your local GP or at Te Puia Hospital. Please ring first to book a time. For anyone who is getting tested, please help us to speed up testing by having your NHI number with you if you have access to it.
“With Covid-19 now present in our schools, it's more important than ever that we vaccinate our children. “It's our responsibility to protect our tamariki and vaccination means they are also less likely to pass the virus on to whānau and friends.
“If your child has any symptoms, keep them home to reduce any spread of the virus, get them tested and wait for a negative test result.”
The first of the four new cases was confirmed last night.
“Case investigation and contact tracing has commenced for this person, and checking of welfare requirements,” a Hauora Tairāwhiti spokeswoman said.
“There are no new locations of interest, however, this may change depending on case investigation for the case.”
The new cases bring the region's outbreak numbers to 21, all of which, except the region's first case identified on January 26, are active.
Nine of those have been confirmed as the Omicron variant.
Testing is available at —
* Watson Park Marine Parade: 9am to midday (enter beachside).
* Your GP. Ring first to book a time.
* Te Puia Springs Hospital: 10am-12pm (by appointment, phone (06) 864 6803)
* Find out where you can get a vaccination/booster at bit.ly/3o38iZP