WAIKATO COVID-19 UPDATE FOR 24 NOVEMBER

There are 18 new cases confirmed in the Waikato region. Nine are in Te Kūiti, two in Huntly, two in Ōtorohanga, one in Hamilton, one in Te Awamutu, one in Te Kauwhata, one in Tokoroa, and one which remains under investigation. This brings the total number of cases during this Waikato outbreak to 379 (192 active, 187 recovered) with 29 active cases remaining under investigation for links.Two new locations of interest were added for Te Kūiti yesterday.

There are seven pop-up and dedicated testing sites operating across Waikato today in Hamilton, Ōtorohanga, Thames, Huntly, Ngāruawāhia and Te Kūiti
One COVID-19 positive patient is receiving care at Waikato Hospital.There were 1735 tests processed in Waikato yesterday and 1740 vaccinations given.

In the Waikato region, public health staff are now supporting 139 cases to isolate at home.

Note: previously listed case locations will at times be reclassified following investigations.
Anyone who has cold or flu-like symptoms, is following guidance relating to a location of interest, or has been directed by Healthline or a GP should seek a test immediately.
Otherwise, people should call Healthline on 0800 358 5453 or their GP for guidance before seeking a test.
It is free to get a COVID-19 test, wherever you go.

COVID-19 testing centres
Testing locations in and around Waikato are also available on the Healthpoint and Waikato DHB websites.

ŌTOROHANGA
Ōtorohanga Sports Club carpark, Island Reserve, Orahiri Terrace, Ōtorohanga
Monday to Sunday 10am-3.30pm

TE KŪITI
Centennial Park, William Street entrance, Te Kūiti
Wednesday 24 November 3-7pm
Thursday to Sunday 10am-2pm

THAMES
Te Korowai o Hauora Thames, 210 Richmond Street, Thames
Monday-Friday 9am-5pm
Saturday 10am-1pm

HUNTLY
Waahi Whanui, 17 Parry Street, Huntly
Wednesday 24 to Sunday 28 November 10-3pm

NGĀRUAWĀHIA
Nga Miro Health Centre car park, 29 River Road, Ngāruawāhia
Wednesday 24 November 1-7pm
Friday 26 November 7.30am-12pm

HAMILTON
Founders Theatre carpark
Entrance off Norton Road
Daily 8am-4pm

Claudelands Event Centre
Gate 3, Brooklyn Road
Daily 10am-6pm

Te Kōhao Health
951 Wairere Drive, Hamilton East
Daily 10am-4pm

GP practices
Please see www.waikatodhb.health.nz/cbac for a list of pop-up testing sites and designated general practices where anyone can be tested for free, and www.healthpoint.co.nz/covid-19/waikato for all testing providers in the region.

Pop-up vaccination sites and vaccination clinics
Hours at the Te Awa The Base community vaccination centre in Te Rapa, Hamilton, have been extended from this week. The vaccination centre will now open from 9am to 9pm every Thursday and Friday, starting 28 October, until Christmas to cater for people who cannot be vaccinated during normal working hours.

There are number of pop-up vaccination centres operating across the Waikato this week. Details are at www.waikatodhb.health.nz/covid19mobile.

The Cambridge community vaccination centre at Cambridge Community Marae is closed. Vaccinations will continue to be available at Cambridge Medical Centre (bookings essential via www.bookmyvaccine.nz or 0800 28 29 26) and Unichem Cambridge (offering both walk-ins and bookings). There is good capacity at both sites to support the community. Vaccinations are free wherever you go.

• Mobile vaccination clinics are rolling out across the takiwā with regular visits to locations through to the end of the year. The schedule is on the Waikato DHB website and will be regularly updated with more dates and locations.
• Also visit the Waikato DHB FB page for up-to-date mobile vaccination clinic locations.
• In Hamilton and elsewhere in the Waikato, you can get your vaccinations at GPs, pharmacies, mobile sites and at our vaccination centres. There’s lots of options, so come along and meet the friendly vaccination teams.
• Walk-in appointments are available at many vaccination sites across the Waikato.
• People can now also bus free to and from their vaccination appointment if they show proof of their booking. See busit.co.nz/vaccination for more details.

Reminder – Making a vaccination appointment

Although walk-ins are available at many vaccination sites, the best way of guaranteeing a vaccination on the time, day and place of your choosing is still to book.
• If you have made a booking and are not able to attend your appointment, please cancel your booking so someone else can use that appointment time.
• If you are unsure when your appointment is, check on the booking system at https://app.bookmyvaccine.covid19.health.nz/manage using your contact number or email address and booking reference. Alternatively, you can call 0800 28 29 26 for assistance.
• Everyone aged 12+ can now visit bookmyvaccine.nz to make their bookings.
• We ask everyone when attending their appointments under Alert Level 3 to follow the key public health measures detailed on the Unite Against COVID-19 website.

If people have flu-like symptoms
Do not come into the hospital if you have cold or flu-like symptoms.
If you are concerned about your risk of COVID-19, please ring Healthline (0800 358 5453). They will tell you if you need to be tested and what to do next.
• It is free to get a COVID-19 test
• GPs are able to provide assessment and testing – please phone your practice first
• Please do not turn up to your GP without an appointment
• After hours, you can be seen at an urgent care clinic
• We recommend you take your NHI number with you, which can speed up the timeframe to receive your test results.