Reassurances are being given to people who work at Port of Tauranga, that following an Order from the Ministry of Health on Friday night, they will not be penalised if they are unable to get tested for COVID-19 before midnight (11.59pm) on Monday night.

Director General of Health, Dr Ashley Bloomfield said “It's important that we take a flexible approach to our response to allow us to test as many of those as possible at our borders. Our border workers play an important role in doing their jobs and keeping us safe. Comprehensive testing will provide one further assurance of this and it is pragmatic to take a few more days to ensure we've tested as many of our port workers as possible."

Bay of Plenty District Health Board’s Interim CE Simon Everitt said that staff have been working over the weekend with port staff, to set up a testing station on-site at the port, to ensure sufficient capacity to test all required workers. Workers with symptoms of COVID-19 have been getting tested at their GP’s practice.

“We will be prioritising port staff who have been on-board a vessel in the last 14 days and/or those who have been in direct contact with crew. Testing will begin next week.

“Port of Tauranga staff will be contacted by their company to allocate them a testing slot. If a staff member is unwell or has symptoms, please seek treatment from their GP and remain off work. In the meantime we acknowledge the uncertainty that workers have being feeling about how to organise their tests. We ask that people be patient as they will be able to get tested over the next week, and that people wait for further instructions from their employers, and allow general practices to focus on testing those people who have symptoms of COVID-19 and require testing.

EOC Incident Controller, Dr Joe Bourne said “ While port staff are awaiting their test results, they can continue to work.

“Across the Bay of Plenty, general practice and Pathlab have continued to assess and test people with symptoms consistent with COVID-19. Whilst those services have been busy, the numbers have been manageable and there is capacity for anyone who does present with symptoms.”

The COVID-19 symptoms include: a cough; a high temperature (at least 38˚C); shortness of breath; a sore throat; sneezing and runny nose; temporary loss of smell.

Ripeka Timutimu talks with BOPDHB Pou Tīkanga, Graham Bidois Cameron about the Covid-19 testing being done for Port of Tauranga kaimahi.

I te tuatahi, ki tā tātou hoa mahi i pāngia e te mate Korona, kua tukuna e mātou ngā karakia kia piki te kaha, kia piki te ora ki runga i a koutou.
Kua tae mai te pānui nei i te Tumuaki taupua, i a Simon Everitt, kia mataara!
Ahakoa te taumaha o te kaupapa nei, kia kaha rā! Kei a tātou ngā rautaki, te tikanga me ngā tūkanga kia tiaki, kia manaaki tātou ki a tātou anō.
E hoki ki ngā kupu o ngā tūpuna, kaua e mate wheke, me mate mango-ururoa. Tēnā koutou.

Our thoughts go out to our staff members and patient who are now facing recovery from COVID-19. We also offer our support to their whānau who will be concerned and worried for their loved ones.

Tuesday, 21st April 2020

MEDIA ADVISORY:  Update on COVID-19 cases Bay of Plenty District Health Board 

The health, welfare and wellbeing of our staff and patients remain our highest priority as we continue to work together to eliminate COVID-19. Two Bay of Plenty District Health Board (BOPDHB) employees and one patient have tested positive for COVID-19 during the weekend.

One of the staff members who tested positive works for Adult Mental Health and Addiction Services and has been in isolation for two weeks as a result of contact tracing two weeks ago, and remains in self isolation.

The second staff member works in Te Whare Maiangiangi, the adult mental health ward at Tauranga Hospital. In addition, a current patient in the ward yesterday also tested positive for COVID-19. 

Both staff members are in quarantine and are being supported by family and the DHB. The patient who tested positive is in isolation in the Te Whare Maiangiangi ward and is being cared for by ward staff, who are in appropriate PPE, and all steps are being taken to ensure the safety of staff, patients and their families.

All staff members and patients who have been in contact with the three confirmed cases are being followed up and have either been tested and are awaiting lab test results or are in the process of being tested.  

We are confident that our staff were scrupulous in following the guidelines and that they did everything possible to keep themselves and others safe. 

Our focus is on identifying and testing all close contacts and preventing the spread of further infection from this outbreak.

We are working with our colleagues at Toi Te Ora Public Health, the Ministry of Health and other relevant agencies to identify all close contacts of these confirmed cases. These contacts, whether they are symptomatic or not, will be advised to go to a Community Based Assessment Centre (CBAC) for testing.

The Te Whare Maiangiangi ward has been closed to new admissions, and we are working with Whakatāne Hospital and Lakes District Health Board to continue to provide care for our patients.  
Staff are continuing to use appropriate PPE as recommended by Ministry of Health guidelines. 

Simon Everitt
Interim CEO 
Bay of Plenty DHB

BOP and Lakes DHBs have created a new website to help address any COVID-19 questions. The website has the latest health updates relating to COVID-19, plus answers to frequently asked questions. You can find it at: covid19.bopdhb.govt.nz

Enquiries to the BOP HEALTH COVID-19 response team can be emailed to: bopcovid19@bopdhb.govt.nz

For more details contact:

Māori Health Gains and Development
Graham Cameron
Pou Tikanga
Mobile: 027 270 5303

James Fuller
Communications Advisor - Bay of Plenty District Health Board
DDI: 07 579 8411 
Mobile: 027 839 1791
Fax: 07 577 9195       
Email: james.fuller@bopdhb.govt.nz 
Website:  http://www.bopdhb.govt.nz

​

The risks of COVID-19 to hapu māmā, unborn pēpi and newborn pēpi are still generally unknown. 
While most hapu māmā who catch COVID-19 will have mild symptoms, it is important that we do everything to keep hapu māmā safe during this time. 

For the period that Alert-Level 4 restrictions are in place, it is important that you and your whānau follow the basic advice for general hygiene. 

General advice for hapu māmā:

• Noho ki tō rāhui – stay in your whānau bubble. 
• While we are at Alert-Level 4, you should stay at home. However, you may leave your whare for health appointments.
• If essentials (kai or medicine) are needed, ask if someone in your whare can go for you.

For anyone leaving the whare:

• Wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds, before leaving your whare
• While out, stay at least 2 metres away from others
• Avoid touching surfaces and then your face
• Wash your hands or use hand sanitiser while you are out and wash your hands again when you get home. 

For information about maternity care, labour, delivery, caring for your newborn pēpi and more during COVID-19 Alert Level 4 please visit the website link below.

COVID-19 is a new illness that can affect your lungs and airways. It’s caused by a type of coronavirus. There are simple steps you can take to protect you and your whānau.
The symptoms of COVID-19 are:

• a cough
• a high temperature (at least 38°C)
• shortness of breath.
• sore throat
• sneezing and runny nose 
• temporary loss of smell 

These symptoms do not necessarily mean you have COVID-19. The symptoms are similar to other illnesses that are much more common, such as cold and flu.
Shortness of breath is a sign of possible pneumonia and requires immediate medical attention.
We don’t yet know how long symptoms take to show after a person has been infected, but current World Health Organisation assessments suggest that it is 2–10 days.
If you have these symptoms, please don't assume it is just a cold, call Healthline (for free) on 0800 358 5453 or your doctor immediately.

I'm worried I might have COVID-19, should I visit a testing centre?
If you have symptoms of COVID-19, please call Healthline on 0800 358 5453 or call your local GP for advice. Your GP or Healthline will refer you to a testing centre.  You can read advice on symptoms of COVID-19 from the Ministry of Health here.

How is testing done?
Testing or swabbing may be done in a dedicated testing space by staff or from inside your car. 

When will my test results be available?
Test results are generally available within 48 hours.Regional Public Health will notify you if your test result is positive, and work with you to manage your health.

Where is the Community Based Assessment Centre?
For whānau living in Tauranga, it is at Trustpower Baypark Stadium, 81 Truman Lane, Mount Maunganui.  It is open everyday 9am-6pm. 
If you live in another part of New Zealand you can find out where your nearest  Community Based Assessment Centre is by calling Healthline on 0800 358 5354.

For more symptom and testing, please visit the COVID-19 Website below.