One new COVID-19 case for Taranaki
20 December 2021
Today the Ministry of Health is reporting one new COVID-19 case for Taranaki.
The case is linked to the New Plymouth cluster and takes the region’s total number of active cases to 31.
Demand for COVID-19 testing has seen a rapid increase today following a number of locations of interest identified in the New Plymouth and Bell Block areas.
Pop-up testing clinics were run by Tui Ora in Bell Block this morning and Ngaruahine in Eltham, with around 100 tests completed between the two clinics by midday. More than 240 tests had been completed at the community testing centres by midday.
Taranaki DHB’s COVID-19 Response general manager, Gillian Campbell, says it’s good to see so many people getting tested now that cases are on the rise and locations of interest have been shared publicly.
“We need people to come forward for a test if they have any symptoms at all, this is how we’ll know how far the virus has spread, and how we’ll keep our community safe.”
Taranaki residents who have been using the COVID-19 Tracer App will have been sent a notification from the Ministry of Health on their devices if they have been at a location of interest at the same time as an infectious person.
An app notification is a simple way of making you aware of any risk of exposure to COVID-19, says Mrs Campbell.
“A yellow notification means you have scanned into a location of interest around the same time as a confirmed or probable case of COVID-19 and you may have been exposed to the virus. An orange notification may be received if you have Bluetooth activated in the app. Any person who receives an orange notification is considered a close contact. Both notifications will tell you what to do and it is important that you follow these instructions.”
Taranaki’s Public Health Unit continues to investigate the active cases to ensure contact tracing work can be done as quickly as possible.
Medical Officer of Health, Dr Jonathan Jarman, confirms many close contacts have been identified in both Taranaki clusters and they have been advised to get tested and isolate at home.
“Close contacts are people who live, work, or have had close prolonged contact with an infectious person. Close contacts need to stay at home and isolate until it is certain they don’t have COVID-19 infection. If a close contact develops COVID-19 symptoms they should get an additional test immediately.
“Now that COVID-19 has arrived in Taranaki, it is a really good time for people to reconsider vaccination if they haven’t already done so. Vaccination still remains our best protection from the virus,” says Dr Jarman.
Latest locations of interest in New Plymouth and Bell Block (as at 20 December, 1pm)
Chemist Warehouse The Valley Waiwhakaiho - Saturday 11 December, 5:34 pm - 5:45 pm
Look Sharp Store New Plymouth - Saturday 11 December, 10:10 am - 10:20 am
Domino's Fitzroy - Monday 13 December, 2:10 pm - 2:15 pm
Subway Bell Block - Tuesday 14 December,5:34 pm - 5:44 pm
Chemist Warehouse The Valley Waiwhakaiho - Sunday 12 December, 12:56 pm - 1:11 pm
The Christmas Village New Plymouth - Tuesday 14 December, 5:24 pm - 5:34 pm
Animates New Plymouth - Sunday 12 December, 11:17 am - 11:45 am
Pak'nSave New Plymouth - Monday 13 December, 1:45 pm - 2:00 pm
Briscoes New Plymouth - Wednesday 15 December, 4:57 pm - 5:12 pm
Rebel Sport New Plymouth - Saturday 11 December, 5:29 pm - 5:39 pm
Briscoes New Plymouth - Tuesday 14 December, 4:52 pm - 5:08 pm
SuperValue Bell Block - Monday 13 December, 2:10 pm - 2:20 pm
Parkland Takeaways, Bell Block - Saturday 11 December, 6:30 pm - 6:45 pm
The Warehouse Bell Block - Monday 13 December, 3:32 pm - 3:45 pm
Bell Block SuperValue - Saturday 11 December, 6:31 pm - 6:40 pm
Countdown The Valley - Saturday 11 December, 4:04 pm - 4:14 pm
Te Wananga o Aotearoa Cafeteria New Plymouth - Saturday 11 December, 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
The Seaside Night Market Ngamotu Beach - Thursday 09 December, 5:20 pm - 6:00 pm