Kia ora koutou,

There are five new COVID-19 cases to report in Northland today. Four of the cases were notified after the Ministry’s 9am reporting cut-off and will be added to the official case tally tomorrow.

The total number of cases in Northland is now 23 which includes 12 active cases and 11 recovered cases. Four cases are linked to known cases and public health interviews with the fifth case were yet to be completed, as at 12pm today.

We are continuing to encourage those who live in or around Taipa, Kaingaroa, Awanui and Kaitaia and have had any symptoms of COVID-19 in the last two weeks, to get tested as soon as possible. Testing centre locations can be found on the Northland DHB website.

We can confirm that a person with COVID-19 was hospitalised at Whangārei Hospital for observation overnight. They have since been discharged home and will continue to self-isolate. Northland DHB has medical support in place and will continue to monitor them.

This is a previously reported COVID-19 case who has been isolating at home

Northland DHB has robust plans in place to safely manage COVID-19 patients in our hospitals, and to provide them with a high level of care. This includes ensuring that there are protections in place for other patients visiting our hospitals, and our staff.

These protocols have been developed by our clinicians and align with Ministry of Health guidance.

Northland DHB would like to reassure our community that it remains safe to attend your appointments or to seek medical care at our emergency department, if needed.

Please ensure you wear a mask and scan the QR code on arrival, if visiting any of our hospitals.  Northland DHB and local Māori Health providers are working together on what will be an intensive month of delivering vaccination and testing clinics across the region.

The team has capacity to deliver up to 100 vaccinations an hour.

The Whānau Ora Network are working together this week across Te Tai Tokerau prioritising the Hokianga, Kaitaia, Kaikohe, Kaeo-Kerikeri, Waitangi, Moerewa-Kawakawa and Whangārei areas.

They will be working with Hokianga Health, Te Hiku Hauora, Te Rūnanga o Whaingaroa, Te Hauora o Ngāpuhi, Te Hau Awhiowhio o Otangarei Trust, Ki a Ora Ngāti Wai and Ngāti Hine Health Trust with the ‘Shot Bro’ buses.

The Northern Regional Health Coordination Centre, which is based in Auckland and that Northland DHB is part of, is also providing buses and mobile vaccination vans to Northland DHB to be active in the Whangārei and Whangārei South.

The Raumati Whānau drive-through vaccination event will be held at McKay Stadium carpark in Whangārei on Saturday 13 November, 10am-4pm. The event will include live music, free kai, giveaways and prize draws. Everyone is welcome and no appointment is needed.

Information about upcoming vaccination and testing clinics is updated regularly on the Northland DHB website.