Waikato DHB has stopped providing Covid case numbers for Raglan Whāingaroa. From Tuesday 8th March, the DHB says they will be reporting case numbers for each city and district council area. The DHB says that while they appreciate that there was a level of interest in case reporting by town/city, this format is not well matched to the current shape of the pandemic.
This means that the case numbers for Raglan Whāingaroa are no longer available. Instead they have been added onto Pokeno, Port Waikato, Tamahere, Huntly and other Waikato towns. Somehow the DHB expects us to believe this is a better way of providing the case numbers. This Waikato District Council area had 298 new cases and 2616 active cases on Tuesday 8th February.
COVID-19 is now across our communities and with widespread use of rapid antigen testing (RAT) and self-reporting of results, detailed location data for every case is no longer checked and confirmed by Public Health staff. Where a location does not appear on our case map, this should not be interpreted as confirmation that there are no active cases in that area.
There are 2164 new cases reported in the Waikato DHB area for Tuesday 8th March. The total number of cases in this Waikato outbreak as shown in the table is now 22,784 (16,631 active and 6153 recovered).
There were 915 vaccinations given in Waikato yesterday.
There are 70 COVID-19 positive individuals receiving care at Waikato DHB hospitals – this is a mix of patients who are receiving care for COVID-19 and those receiving care for an unrelated condition who have also tested positive.
Raglan Rapid Antigen Testing (RATs) Community Collection Site operated by Waikato DHB is at Raglan Rugby Sports Club, Cross St, Raglan. It is open all of this week Mon 7 – Sun 13 from 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM.
If you are wanting a Covid -19 Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) you can now book online or you can call an 0800 number.
Two ways are available to request RATs:
- Via the new website: requestrats.covid19.health.nz
- Via a free call at 0800 222 478 option 3
RATS are free under the public health response for those who need a test – household contacts and people with symptoms.
If you are going to the pop up at the rugby club or further away, take water and some snacks, especially if you have kaumatua or little ones in the car.
Testing by appointment is available from Raglan Medical Monday to Friday 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
and Raglan Pharmacy Monday to Saturday 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
NEED A TEST?
People should only get tested if they have cold or flu symptoms, have been identified as household contact of a positive COVID-19 case and need a day 3 or day 10 test, or have been asked to get tested by a health official.
The most common early symptoms of the Omicron variant are a sore or scratchy throat, and a runny nose.
Free Rapid antigen tests (RATs) are now the primary form of testing in the community for people who have symptoms or are a Household Contact. You can pick up a test at our community testing and RATs collection centres. Some sites are offering supervised RAT tests.
Free RAT home testing kits can now be ordered online: https://requestrats.covid19.health.nz/
or free call at 0800 222 478 option 3.
To make a request via the website, you will need to have access to a mobile phone to validate the order. RATs can be requested on behalf of someone else.
To find a RAT collection site visit www.waikatodhb.health.nz/cbac or check out the pinned post on our facebook page.
What happens if your RAT result is positive for COVID-19?
Whether positive or negative, you should report the results of your RAT. You can do this:
– online through My Covid Record https://mycovidrecord.health.nz
– or by calling 0800 222 478 and choose option 3.
Tamariki under 12 years old can’t use My COVID Record account so you need to call 0800 222 478 to log result.
If you test positive you will need to isolation for at least 10 days while you recover. Everyone else who lives with you (on a permanent or part-time basis) is considered a household contact and they will need to self-isolate and get tested.
For more information visit: covid19.govt.nz/positive
Managing your symptoms with COVID-19
Most people who get COVID-19 will have mild to moderate symptoms, similar to other common viruses. The majority of people will be able to manage their symptoms at home while isolating with some rest, fluids and paracetamol.
You don’t need to call your GP to let them know you have had a positive test result.
If you need any advice on how to treat your symptoms or have worsening symptoms call Healthline on 0800358 5433. If you need a clinical appointment contact your GP/primary care team.
If you or a family member become very unwell or has difficulty breathing, severe chest pain or discomfort, fainting or become unconscious, call 111 immediately. Let them know you are isolating with COVID-19. There is no cost to call an ambulance when you have COVID-19.
Welfare and manaaki support is available through our Waikato DHB COVID-19 Integrated Coordination Centre on 0800 220 250, seven days a week from 8am – 8pm. Our team will guide you through the next steps.
Also you can ask for welfare and manaaki support at Here to help u www.heretohelpu.nz
BE PREPARED FOR COVID-19
Everyone, whether you are vaccinated or unvaccinated, should prepare for what you need to do if you get COVID-19. Find out how at covid19.govt.nz/be-prepared-for-covid-19
COVID-19 Health Hub
For online support information if you test positive or are exposed to COVID-19 visit the COVID-19 Health Hub covid19.health.nz/advice
LEARN MORE ABOUT OMICRON
Learn more about our response to Omicron
