Covid 19 coronavirus: Fat Dog Cafe gives out 100 pieces of caramel slice as thank you

Rotorua's Fat Dog Cafe has given away 100 free pieces of caramel slice to customers this morning.Staff were breathing a collective sigh of relief as all of their Covid-19 tests had come back negative and the giveaway was a gesture of gratitude to the customers and community who had supported them throughout the process.

It was revealed last Wednesday that two people who tested positive for Covid-19 visited Rotorua from August 8 to 11, going to a range of eateries and tourist attractions.

The Ministry of Health required all staff working at the time their business was visited to be tested for Covid-19 and self-isolate while they awaited results.

Fat Dog duty manager Justin Stowell was one of the staff tested and said it was a nervous wait for results, which he received 76 hours after being tested.

"It's all part of it but I have my mother and my daughter at home and we were just pacing up and down, waiting for results. I was hoping I was negative and my health was fine but there's still that thought in the back of your mind.

"It gives you a bit of a fright, to be honest."

Stowell said the cafe opened at 7am and all 100 slices had been claimed by 11.30am.

"[The free slices] was just a gesture really and a celebration on behalf of the staff. We're over the moon. The local support - all our regulars coming in and a lot of new faces as well - it's really, really good.

"We've been really lucky with everyone coming in. It's interesting to see a lot more people using the tracing app as well, a lot of the younger generation as well.

"I think it was a pretty big wake-up call for everyone, this whole thing," Stowell said.

Fat Dog Cafe relayed the good news on Facebook last night.

"YAY – pretty happy here at FDC today, we got the last of the Covid tests back negative this afternoon," the post said.

"Awesome work to the team and their whānau, isolated at home these past five days, will be fab to see your lovely faces again."

The post thanked the "Fat Dog community" and invited customers to enjoy a free caramel slice today as a token of appreciation for the support shown during the last week.

"To everyone in Auckland, keep up the good work – we've got this NZ!"

YAY– pretty happy here at FDC today, we got the last of the COVID tests back negative this afternoon. Awesome work to...

Posted by Fat Dog Cafe and Bar on Monday, 17 August 2020

The other businesses visited by the two people who tested positive for Covid-19 were Burger Fuel Redwoods, Wai Ora Lakeside Hotel, Herbs & Spices Thai Restaurant, Pak'nSave Rotorua, Rotorua Heritage Farm 3D Art Gallery, Skyline Rotorua and Don Kebab.

The Rotorua Daily Post is seeking comment on test results from the other affected businesses.

Where to get tested today:

Rotorua International Stadium 9am to 4pm.
2 Vaughan Rd, Rotorua 9am to 4pm.
79 Miro St, Taupō 9am to 4pm.
Waitetī Marae, Ngongotahā 10am to 2pm.

Lake District Health Board requested that only those with symptoms of Covid-19, or those who had been told to be tested by officials, queue for a test.

"If you develop symptoms and you've already been tested, please call Healthline or your GP to see if you need to get another test."

Tuesday 18 August This post will be updated throughout the day. Updated with yesterday's test numbers at 1.15pm. 𝐆𝐨𝐭 𝐀...

Posted by Lakes District Health Board on Monday, 17 August 2020

Anyone tested on Thursday or earlier who has not received a result yet can email swabrotorua@lakesdhb.govt.nz or swabtaupo@lakesdhb.govt.nz for help.

Got a hospital appointment?

Appointments are running as normal. Because of a signing-in process at the main entrance of Rotorua Hospital there may be a delay, please give yourself ample time to arrive.

Using the Covid Tracer App? There is a QR code at the main entrances to our hospitals and to other sites.

Testing numbers

Yesterday there were 160 tests completed at Rotorua's Vaughan Rd site and 130 at Taupō's Miro St site.

There are no figures available for the pop-up testing centre at Rotorua International Stadium yet.