Hundreds tested, yet to find a positive
Health bosses say Bay ready to respond if Covid returns to region
Testing centres around Hawke’s Bay have tested close to 1000 people for Covid-19 since the region went into alert level 2, and as of yesterday evening had not found a positive case.
The Hawke’s Bay centres are only testing symptomatic people.
On Wednesday, 313 were tested for Covid-19 and on Thursday more than 500 people were tested for the viral illness.
Hawke’s Bay DHB medical officer Nick Jones said people in Hawke’s Bay with cold and flu-like symptoms were being proactive and calling the testing stations to make an appointment.
Symptoms of Covid-19 include cold or flu-like illness with one or more of the following: a fever, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, a runny nose or loss of smell.
The district health board reactivated its Emergency Operations Centre on Wednesday.
Planning and processes were well in place to manage any outbreak should there be one in Hawke’s Bay, Jones said.
Staff were doing their best to manage the testing demand and Jones reminded the public to be kind and respectful as staff worked to manage calls and appointments.
Test results on average could be expected back within 24-72 hours, but testing times were variable.
The main messages from the Government and the DHBs are: practise good hygiene; keep track of where you have been by downloading the Covid tracing app; stay home if you’re sick; if you’re sick get tested; and wear a mask if you can’t maintain a distance of one metre from others.
Under alert level 2, the DHB also revised its visitor policy, and implemented a no-visitor policy for high-risk areas of Hawke’s Bay Hospital.
Visitors will be asked to wear a face mask, which will be provided as they enter the hospital.