Massive upsurge in Covid testing in Mahurangi

Mahurangi medical centres report a massive upsurge in people seeking testing for Covid-19 in the wake of the latest outbreak of the disease in New Zealand. 

Both Kawau Bay Health and Coast to Coast Health say they tested more than 100 people yesterday. 

Kawau Bay Health practice manager Sara Lewis says the number seeking tests is far higher than during previous lockdowns where the practice would test around 60 a day. 

Immediately prior to the latest scare, the practice would typically test between three and 10 people a day and Coast to Coast would typically test about 30 a day.

Those seeking tests have either exhibited symptoms of Covid-19 or have visited one of the Ministry of Health “locations of interest” where transmission of the disease is likely to have occurred.     

So far, neither practice has had a patient returning a positive test during the latest outbreak. However, Ms Lewis says it can take up to 36 hours before a test result is known and this timeframe is likely to be extended given the much larger volume of tests now being processed by laboratories. 

She says patients usually get the results of their tests via a text on their mobile phone and often are alerted earlier than the clinic where they got their test.

Coast to Coast health director Dr Tim Malloy says it is a good sign that people are taking symptoms seriously and getting tests. 

So far, clinics have been able to cope with the additional demand for tests. During lockdown most consultations are being conducted by phone rather than face-to-face and staff doing non-urgent tasks have been re-directed to the Covid response.   

Dr Malloy says given the number of positive Covid cases that have emerged already around the country and the fact that the country is dealing with the delta variant of the virus, Coast to Coast is preparing for an extended lockdown period.  

Patients seeking a Covid test or vaccination at a local medical clinic should make an appointment first. They should contact their preferred clinic directly for a Covid test and can book a vaccination online at bookmyvaccine.co.nz