Three latest infection cases in region all ‘recovering well’
The number of Covid-19 cases in South Canterbury has risen to 10.
Two of the latest cases have been confirmed and one is probable, South Canterbury District Health Board chief executive Nigel Trainor said.
The most recent cases, confirmed yesterday, were a man over 70, who, the Ministry of Health said is a close contact of a confirmed case and is recovering well at home in self-isolation.
The second, a probable case, is a woman in her 70s. She is recovering well at home in selfisolation while the third, a man in his 30s, is also recovering well at home in self-isolation after recent travel to England.
‘‘Anyone who is tested for Covid-19 must go into immediate self-isolation while awaiting results and further advice,’’ Trainor said.
‘‘Close contacts of the positive case are identified and informed they must self-isolate immediately for 14 days from the date of potential exposure to a confirmed case.’’
He could not say which part of South Canterbury the cases are from, but said contact tracing was underway.
‘‘Again, we call upon the community to provide support to and respect the privacy of the affected people, and we thank everyone for co-operating with requests to self-isolate and stay at home.
‘‘Contact tracing starts for people who test positive as soon as test results are received.’’
There are now 708 confirmed or probable cases of coronavirus in New Zealand. Eighty-two New Zealanders have recovered from the virus.
‘‘In time we expect we will see more cases in South Canterbury,’’ Trainor said.
He advised anyone who has developed symptoms suggestive of Covid-19, such as cough, fever or difficult breathing, should contact Healthline on 0800 358 5453, or their family doctor.
Takeaway coffee sales stop
A Timaru supermarket selling takeaway coffee to customers has now stopped.
Highfield New World Supermarket continued to sell hot coffee from its kiosk and Lotto counter until yesterday.
Despite the supermarket being an essential service, takeaway hot coffee is not allowed to be sold there, according to Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) guidelines.
On Tuesday, spokesperson for Foodstuffs New Zealand, which operates New World, Antionette Laird said the supermarket was continuing to operate under the Ministry guidelines.
‘‘In this evolving environment we appreciate having clear lines of communication with the ministry and we continue to take their direction and guidance.’’
When questioned further,
Laird said the company would continue liaising with the ministry.
MPI referred inquiries to the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment but no comment was received.
MPI lists the packaging, production and processing of food and beverage products as essential businesses, but states cafes, restaurants and takeaway outlets may not operate.
A member of the public who witnessed people walking out of the supermarket with coffees told The Timaru Herald ‘‘it doesn’t seem fair that health workers are risking their own health to help people and meanwhile New World are risking handing the virus out to anyone who is prepared to pay them money’’.
Banks open for a few hours
Dozens of customers lined up as Timaru’s ANZ and Westpac banks opened their doors for a short period yesterday.
Staff members wore gloves and masks as they dealt with the inquiries of a limited number of clients at a time.
With banks considered an essential service during the Covid-19 alert level 4 lockdown, most banks have decided to open branches for limited hours one day a week for customers who cannot use ATMs, phone or online banking,
Timaru ANZ was open from 9am to 12pm, and will be every Wednesday if possible.
Assistant manager Sarah Haywood said customers were waiting as they opened and they had about 50 people through by 11.30am.
She said there was a mix of ages and most inquiries were for replacements of cards, cash withdrawals, and assistance to set up internet banking.
Some people were worried about how best to pay accounts, while others were directed to the self-service technology.
The bank’s online service had been inundated with questions about mortgage repayments, Haywood said.
Engineer Graham Welsh, who is still working, said he did not have internet banking so was relieved his bank was open.
ANZ is open Wednesdays from 9am-12 noon and Westpac from 10am-1pm on Wednesdays. SBS Bank will be open from 10am-2pm on Thursdays, and ASB is open on Tuesdays from 10am-2pm.