a Wastewater sample taken on Monday has returned a negative result for Covid-19.
However, in a statement, Hauora Tairāwhiti said: “due to recent disruption of the Tairāwhiti wastewater system by floodwater, this test result may not have captured all city wastewater, therefore we cannot fully rely on this result”.
Tairāwhiti medical officer of health Dr Osman Mansoor said they might be asked to provide a further sample today.
Hauora Tairāwhiti chief executive Jim Green said while it would be useful to have updated results of wastewater testing, more important was the swabbing of people with symptoms that might be indicative of Covid-19.
“These will tell us if there is a spread of the virus in our community. Most important of all, though, is getting vaccinated. Now is the time to do this, with five weeks until full protection of the vaccine is received from the two doses.”