Time is running out to get fully protected from COVID-19 by Christmas
15 November 2021
Taranaki still has no new cases of COVID-19 following the six confirmed cases from Stratford last week.
Taranaki DHB’s medical officer of health, Dr Jonathan Jarman, is cautiously optimistic the region may have contained the outbreak.
He says “We still cannot be entirely certain that the virus hasn’t managed to go any further than the six people in Stratford, but with high testing numbers across the region and all negative results so far it’s certainly a good indicator we may have containment.”
More than a thousand tests were completed in Taranaki over the weekend and the latest wastewater results for the region have not detected COVID-19.
Dr Jarman says “The Stratford wastewater tests are likely to be both positive and negative at times because of the people with COVID-19 who are recovering in the community. Otherwise the tests for the region were all clear last week.”
The Public Health Unit has confirmed the six people with COVID-19 continue to recover at home and have been supported by a Community Care Team for both their medical and welfare needs.
With other regions in the North Island dealing with positive cases, Dr Jarman’s main message to the community is to hurry and get vaccinated.
“Each week we’re dodging COVID-19 bullets, but it’s highly likely our region will encounter more cases, especially when the country moves to the new traffic light system.
“This is the last week for people to start their COVID-19 vaccination journey if they want to be fully vaccinated by Christmas day. Full protection starts two weeks after the second dose.
“The Christmas and New Year period is going to be a risky time with people travelling around the country and hanging out with their extended family. You definitely do not want to give COVID-19 to your grandmother or your uncle who has diabetes for Christmas.”
Current locations of interest in Taranaki:
Saturday 30 October
- The Warehouse Hawera between 12-1pm
Wednesday 3 November
- New World Stratford between 9am-3pm
- Countdown Stratford between 9am-3pm
- Unichem Mackays Pharmacy Stratford between 9am-3pm
Thursday 4 November
- New World Stratford between 9.45am-10.30am
Tuesday 9 November
- Bunnings Warehouse Hawera between 9.30-10.30am
- Unichem Mackays Pharmacy Stratford, 11.45am-12.15pm
Thursday 11 November
- Unichem Mackays Pharmacy Stratford between 9.15-9.45am