Covid 19 coronavirus: Fifth confirmed case of Covid-19 in Taranaki

A 23-year-old Taranaki woman is at home in strict isolation after test results confirmed she has Covid-19.

The Taranaki District Health Board has stated she is the 5th person in the region to have a confirmed case of the virus.

The Ministry of Health website shows Taranaki to have six cases, however this discrepancy is because the ministry is now including probable cases in their count, while the Taranaki District Health board is talking specifically about confirmed cases.

Taranaki DHB's medical officer of health, Dr Jonathan Jarman says there is still a probable case pending, but the Public Health Unit has not received any confirmed details at this stage.

The woman had recently returned from overseas.

Dr Jarman says the woman had developed the symptoms of the virus while she was already isolating.

"The person is at home in strict isolation with mild symptoms. She had been well when she returned from overseas but had developed the symptoms of COVID-19 infection while in self-isolation."

He says all of Taranaki's confirmed cases at this stage have been acquired overseas.

As Taranaki follows the nation in moving to a COVID-19 alert level four, dedicated testing clinics have been established in Hawera and New Plymouth, as well as opportunities for testing in Waitara and Opunake.

Taranaki DHB's Incident Management Team controller, Becky Jenkins, says people can't just turn up at the clinics to be tested.

"The public will have to be referred to one of these clinics for COVID-19 testing either via Healthline, their GP or the Medical Officer of Health. Testing will not be performed on people who do not meet the case definition."

The opening hours of the clinics, along with other operational arrangements will be regularly reviewed for numbers and demand, she says.

"Public advice remains the same; if people are experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms they need to call the dedicated COVID-19 Healthline number 0800 358 5453 or ring ahead to their GP who will refer via phone for testing or treatment if required."

Becky says people are encouraged to use the all-of-government response website for
help and advice.
The website, www.covid19.govt.nz/help-and-advice/for-everyone/ can be found here.

• Covid19.govt.nz: The Government's official Covid-19 advisory website