Warning amid positive signs for South

Tomorrow, New Zealand moves to Covid-19 Alert Level 3, and the South appears ready for the shift, having recorded eight consecutive days with no new cases of the pandemic disease.

The weekend had the southern region remain fixed on 216 cases, in the process being overtaken by Waitemata as the part of the country with the highest number of Covid-19 cases.

On Saturday, the Ministry of Health reported just five new cases of Covid-19, but also that an Auckland woman in her 70s had died from the disease, taking the national toll to 18.

Yesterday, a further nine cases were announced, maintaining a recent run of days with single figure numbers of new Covid-19 patients.

All nine could be linked to either existing clusters of cases or to current patients.

Director-general of health Ashley Bloomfield said the trend in new diagnoses was encouraging, but warned against any slackening in efforts to combat the deadly virus.

"Even though all these new cases are linked to existing community-based cases or clusters, or are a result of overseas travel, nine cases highlights the need for everybody to maintain a high level of vigilance in Level 4 and as we move to Level 3.”

There were anecdotal reports in the South yesterday that some residents had already taken a more relaxed attitude to recreational travel, Aramoana residents telling the Otago Daily Times day-trippers had taken advantage of the sunny weekend for excursions to the seaside village.

Under both the current Level 4 and the pending Level 3 restrictions, people are obliged to stay at home except for essential travel.

There are just 20 active Covid-19 cases in the southern region; 194 patients have recovered and two have died from the disease.

Southern District Health Board chief executive Chris Fleming said he was extremely pleased at the dearth of new cases in the region.

"I want to acknowledge our public health, laboratory and primary care teams for their exceptional efforts over the past weeks, and thank those people who have cared directly for Covid-19 or suspected Covid-19 patients within our hospital network.

"Thank you to everyone in the community for the actions you have taken in Alert Level 4 as we have faced this shared challenge."

Random testing to identify possible community transmission of Covid-19 continues today, as health services prepare for the drop in alert levels.

Mr Fleming said hospital visitor policies would be reviewed, and some surgeries and face-to-face appointments could be scheduled if it was safe to do so.

Ahead of the expected returning to work tomorrow for some people, public health doctor Michael Butchard told local business owners healthy staff did not need medical clearances or a clear Covid-19 test before returning to work.

"This is even if a worker has previously been a Covid-19 case," Dr Butchard said.

"Public Health South has closely monitored people who have been a Covid-19 case and have let them know if they are able to return to work."