A long queue at the drive-through testing station in Masterton on Monday. PHOTO/SUE TEODORO
Delta in Masterton – number of locations of interest will rise
SUE TEODORO
[email protected]
With delta officially arriving in Wairarapa, hundreds queued for drive-through testing at Masterton Medical on Monday.
A Ministry of Health [MOH] spokesperson announced the region’s first case on Monday afternoon, with more cases reported across the central and southern North Island.
“A positive test result has this morning been received in the Wairarapa town of Masterton. It has come in after the ministry’s 9am reporting cut off, so it will be added to official numbers tomorrow,” they said.
Public health officials believed the case was found early in their infection.
“They are carrying out interviews with the person to identify any close contacts and exposure events.”
Wairarapa MP Kieran McAnulty said it was encouraging the case was caught early.
“People can have confidence the contact tracing system is working well,” he said.
He said a key message was for those who needed one, to get a test.
“Please get tested, no matter how mild your symptoms are.”
He commended the workers at the Masterton and Featherston testing stations and the DHB.
“They have done a phenomenal job. The DHB said they had a plan in place for a while. From everything I’ve seen and heard, they are doing a marvellous job.”
He advised people to keep an eye on the locations of interest website for updates.
“It can take time to gather information. This is a reminder to use the covid tracer app and scan. If we get into the habit of scanning, all the information will already be there.”
Masterton Mayor Lyn Patterson said the numbers of locations of interest in the region [currently four] were expected to increase and advised people to follow public health advice.
“Hearing there is a positive case of covid in the community is never the news you want; however, we have the systems in place to help keep our community and our district safe. I encourage everyone to stick to them where possible,” she said.
“Maintain social distance, wear a mask, scan in so that contact tracing can be easier and get vaccinated if you can. We will get through this if we stick to the rules.
“Our locations of interest are likely to increase beyond those already released. Please keep an eye on the latest information on the Ministry of Health website.”
The Masterton case comes after a confirmed positive case from Taupo spent a weekend in early November in the region, visiting at least four places of interest.
So far, places known covid positive cases have visited in or near Wairarapa include Caltex Woodville, Farmlands Pahiatua, Challenge Petrol Station in Greytown and The Warehouse and McDonalds in Masterton.
MOH confirmed 173 new community cases on Monday, but the Masterton case was not one of them and were included in yesterday’s list. A further case in Taupo was also be included in yesterday’s list. There were no new cases in the MidCentral DHB region reported on Monday.
People are advised to check updates on the MOH website and get tested if they have symptoms [even if mild and they are vaccinated]. Free drive-through testing is available at Masterton Medical in Colombo Rd every day from 9am to 4pm.
- More information from MOH is at https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/diseases-and-conditions/covid-19-novel-coronavirus, and Wairarapa DHB is at http://www.wairarapa.dhb.org.nz/news-and-publications/covid-19/
