"Even though we have moved down to alert level 1, we need to maintain vigilance and retain our readiness should alert levels need to change."
Dr Weir said it was important for the testing teams to reach into communities and population groups who may not have easy access to testing or who were at a higher risk if they contracted Covid-19.
"While all are welcome to be tested, we are particularly interested in testing Māori and Pasifika people, those aged over 65, as well as members of the community who live with a chronic illness, such as respiratory disease, high blood pressure, heart disease and diabetes."
Weir said planning was under way for further pop-ups in the community and surveillance testing at businesses and organisations throughout the MidCentral region.
"Testing people at pop-up sites in the community and at their workplaces will help us to reassure the community that MidCentral remains Covid-19 free.
"It was pleasing to see such strong turnouts at both the Levin and Dannevirke pop-up testing sites, and we certainly appreciate the efforts of those who have taken the opportunity to get a swab.
Successful pop-up testing sites for people without symptoms were held in Levin and Dannevirke this month, with 343 and 221 people tested at each site, respectively.
All of those swabbed returned negative test results.
Most recently, on September 15, a team tested staff at Turks Poultry Farm in Foxton, with close to 70 people being tested.
Turks Health and safety and processing systems co-ordinator Nathan Frost said testing at their site went smoothly and they were pleased with the large number who got tested.
"On behalf of myself and Turks Poultry, we found the team that performed the Covid testing did an absolutely great job.
"Our staff felt comfortable and the testing staff themselves were friendly and great to get along with, which eased the situation."
More information about Covid-19 in the MidCentral district can be found on our website https://covid19.mdhb.health.nz