PHOTO/FILE
Two close contacts of the covid cases in Taranaki are isolating in Wairarapa, awaiting test results.
A Ministry of Health spokesperson confirmed late Friday that the two Wairarapa contacts had been tested and were self-isolating in the region.
Taranaki DHB also confirmed that five close contacts of the six Taranaki cases were symptomatic, and two of those contacts were from Wairarapa.
Taranaki DHB Medical Officer of Health, Dr Jonathan Jarman, confirmed the five had been tested.
“We are also following up some close contacts who are symptomatic. Five close contacts have been identified, have been tested and are also isolating,” he said.
”Two of these contacts are from the Wairarapa area, so the Public Health Unit is working with Regional Public Health based in Lower Hutt as investigations continue.”
Wairarapa MP Kieran McAnulty advised people to remain calm, follow the rules and, for unvaccinated people, to get vaccinated.
“This is a timely reminder covid is not just an Auckland issue,” he said.
“There is no need to panic. This is the contact tracing system working.”
He advised people to continue, as usual, recording where they go, wearing a mask, observing social distancing and washing their hands regularly.
“Most importantly, if you’re not vaccinated, please do so. We all need to be vigilant, and the best protection against covid is vaccination,” he said.
Contact tracing is under way for all six people who tested positive in Stratford on Thursday. They were understood to have mostly isolated at home while infectious, although they had not used the tracer app.
Dr Jarman encouraged anyone with symptoms to get tested as soon as possible.
