The South remains firmly in the grips of the Covid-19 pandemic, recording the third-highest daily case numbers in the country each day over the weekend.
The Southern District Health Board region racked up a further 991 cases on Saturday and 819 yesterday: reported cases usually drop on Sunday and Monday in reflection of lower reporting rates during the weekend.
The combined 1810 cases over the two days was topped only by the combined Auckland DHBs (2658) and Canterbury (2513).
Nationally, 8531 cases were reported on Saturday and 6718 cases yesterday; 12% of yesterday’s cases were reported in the SDHB region.
A further 24 deaths of people who had Covid-19 were reported: none were resident in the southern region.
Meanwhile, WellSouth primary health organisation said more than 1 million rapid antigen tests were distributed in the region during March.
"There were 59,174 orders filled via southern distribution sites, ordered through the Ministry of Health’s Rat requester," WellSouth nursing director Wendy Findlay said.
"That amounts to 1,097,800 Rats provided to people meeting testing criteria in Otago and Southland in just over four weeks."
Ms Findlay said the high number of tests kits sent out demonstrated how conscientious southerners were when it came to staying safe from Covid.
“We have more than 50 collection sites, more than any other district in the country, and options to have the tests delivered to those living remotely.
“This ready access has been really helpful."
Of the 604 people in hospital in New Zealand yesterday who had Covid-19, 26 of them were in the southern region.
