COVID-19 Update 18 November

COVID-19 Update 18 November COVID-19 positive test results in Tauranga and Mount Maunganui Today two new cases have been announced in the Bay of Plenty region. One of these cases is in in Mount Maunganui and the other is in Tauranga. This Tauranga case came in after the official 9am cut-off time for reporting and will be formally included in tomorrow’s figures. This follows further positive detections of COVID-19 reported yesterday in wastewater samples in both Tauranga and Mount Maunganui.

Interviews are continuing to determine case movements. Any locations of interest will be added to the Ministry’s website as these are identified.

Tauranga Hospital has moved to a heightened state of preparedness for possible cases coming into the hospital. As a result all possible COVID-19 cases being admitted should be managed using airborne precautions and isolation until we have further information.

Today’s numbers There were 167 new cases of COVID-19 in the New Zealand community yesterday; Northland (5), Auckland (142), Waikato (17), Bay of Plenty (1), Lakes (1), Canterbury (1).

Of the current community cases across Aotearoa, 85 are in hospital – 6 are in ICU. Average age of current hospitalisations: 51 years old.

In the Bay of Plenty 90% of the population have had their first dose and 75% have had their second dose. Click here to see how we’re tracking compared to other areas.

Latest information •

Auckland is at Alert Level 3 Step 2.

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Cabinet will confirm the decision to move Auckland and the rest of New Zealand into the new traffic light system on 29 November.

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On 15 December people will be able to travel out of Auckland. They will need to be fully vaccinated, or have a negative test 72 hours prior to departure, to leave Auckland and visit other parts of the country. This requirement will remain in place during the core summer period, until 17 January 2022.

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My Vaccine Pass was made available to the public yesterday.

See the latest updates, information and advice on COVID-19.

Infection prevention and control – stay vigilant With two COVID-19 positive cases in Tauranga and Mount Maunganui, it is important for us all to follow infection prevention and control measures to protect each other and slow the spread of the virus. Stay home if you are sick, wash/sanitise hands often, maintain physical distance from others, scan and wear face masks/coverings.

Masks Non-clinical staff wear face masks at all times when in close contact (less than 2 metres from of other staff). You can remove your mask if you are working in your own office space or in a shared space where you can maintain a 2 metre distance from others. Clearly you can remove to eat/drink but please ensure you maintain social distance from others.

Clinical staff wear a mask at all times while on shift (surgical type mask) unless airborne or other specific clinical procedures are required. Masks can be removed when on break, eating or drinking but please maintain physical distance from others.

Information for clinical staff regarding airborne precautions can be found by following this link: alert-levels-3-and-4-risk-assessment-questions-if-covid-19-status-isunknown.pdf All staff attending meetings in person should wear face masks. Zoom where possible.

Testing Anyone with COVID-19 related symptoms (such as a new or worsening cough, sneezing and runny nose, fever, temporary loss of smell or altered sense of taste, sore throat, and shortness of breath), even if the symptoms are mild, are advised to get tested as soon as possible.

Public health staff are working with the two Bay of Plenty cases to determine locations of interest. These will be added to the Ministry of Health’s locations of interest webpage as they are identified.

People who live or have travelled to Tauranga or Mount Maunganui should keep checking COVID-19 Contact tracing locations of interest and follow public health advice.

Additional testing locations and times (check Healthpoint for updates) Mount Maunganui Sports Centre Cnr Maunganui & Hull Roads TODAY Thursday 10am–6pm Tomorrow 10am–6pm Saturday 10am–4pm Tauranga Racecourse 1383 Cameron Road, Greerton Tomorrow 10am–6pm Saturday 10am–4pm

Tauranga Central 100 First Ave 8 am–4 pm, Monday–Friday (Drive-through accessed via carpark next to Noel Leeming on Second Ave) Accident & Healthcare 19 Second Ave 8am–6pm, seven days Whakatāne Med Central Portacom 52B King Street 10am–4pm, Monday–Saturday Murupara Koromiko Street 10am–4 pm, Monday–Friday

Do you know what to do if a staff member is stood down awaiting COVID test results?

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If you are experiencing the symptoms associated with COVID you should be tested for COVID-19.

If you return a negative test result, are no longer feeling unwell, and have been totally symptom free for 24 hours, you should return to work as usual. If you continue to show symptoms, you should remain at home on Sick Leave until you have been totally symptom free for 24 hours.

If you return a positive test result, you should call your manager to determine what next steps you need to take. Public Health will also provide advice on what you need to do.

If you were at a location of interest published by the Ministry of Health (or you have been designated as a close contact of a known Covid-19 case) you should follow the directions of the Ministry of Health. There is a current notice under the Health Act requiring those who were at a location of interest or who are designated as a close contact to self-isolate.

If you are household contact of a person who has been at a location of interest or has been categorised as a close contact of a COVID-19 case an exemption is in place allowing you to come to work providing • The person concerned has had two injections of the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine; • That the close contact of the person has been tested for COVID-19 following the exposure event and has received a negative test result; • That the negative test result must be from a RT-PCR test (a test for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) viral ribonucleic acid using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction); • No household members (including yourself) have symptoms of COVID-19.

• If you attend work and a household member develops symptoms the Section 70 exemption will no longer apply, and you must then selfisolate and contact Healthline.

Wellness Staff supports:

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ONSITE Wellness Support. Wellness team leads lisa.gillies@bopdhb.govt.nz (Whakatāne), nardia.lloydashton@bopdhb. govt.nz (Tauranga)

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ONSITE Te Pare ō Toi, Waiata every Monday 3.30-4pm and Karakia daily 8am

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ONSITE SWEAT- Onsite gym staff.wellness@bopdhb.govt.nz or ext 8956

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ONSITE Chaplains Whakatāne Hospital Ecumenical Chaplain Peter Lander can be contacted on ext 4877

Wellness Programs/Contacts • 1737 need to Talk?

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Benestar 0800 360 364 or EAP phone 0800 327 669

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Wellbeing service for frontline healthcare professionals 0800 820 080- A confidential support line open Monday–Friday 9:00am to 5:00pm.

Whakatauki He rau ringa e oti ai Many hands make light work

Trevor Richardson COVID-19 Incident Controller BOPDHB