Covid-19: Virus detected in Napier and Gisborne wastewater

Covid-19 has been detected in wastewater samples from Napier and Gisborne.

The results were released on Friday afternoon after sampling was carried out by the Institute of Environmental Science and Research (ESR) between November 1-3.

The health ministry said the samples could come from recovered cases returning to the MIQ area, visitors passing through the area or could report undetected cases in the community. There are no MIQ facilities, nor any known cases of Covid-19 isolation, in Napier or Gisborne.

Hawke’s Bay District Board of Health Chairman Shayne Walker said the organization would push vaccination and information campaigns harder.

“We communicate widely throughout the community and ensure that people with flu-like symptoms or who have been out of the area in the past 14 days get tested. For those who have not yet done so, we cannot stress enough the importance of getting the vaccine.

READ MORE:
* Covid-19: Virus detected in Napier and Gisborne wastewater
* Explanation: Everything You Need To Know About New Zealand Wastewater Testing
* Latest wastewater tests reveal no new traces of Covid-19 in Christchurch

Walker said the board of health was as prepared as it could get, but an outbreak would put a lot of stress on the system. Vaccinations would reduce the severity of the virus and were an important tool in reducing pressure on health services during an outbreak.

Gisborne Mayor Rehette Stoltz has asked anyone with symptoms of Covid to go to a drive-thru test center in the Peel St parking lot between the old police station and Briscoes.

It will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. “We want only people who have flu-like symptoms to come for testing,” she said.

“We want everyone who is not feeling well to come out.”

Stoltz also demanded that people who are yet to be vaccinated do so over the weekend.

“We have a lot of people in Gisborne who have yet to come and roll up their sleeves. Now is the time to come out and play your part.”

There had been four cases of Covid in Gisborne at the start of the pandemic, among people who had returned from overseas, Stoltz said.

“We’re well prepared. We’re settled in. We just need the people to come forward.”

As a standard procedure, ESR will perform further samples in the coming days with results expected early next week.

News of the sewage came the same day, East Coast MP Kiri Allan said the annual three-day music festival Rhythm and Vines would only go forward if Tairāwhiti DHB reached the 90 percent vaccine target.

The Ministry of Health advises anyone showing symptoms of Covid-19, even vaccinated, to get tested. Additional capacities in test stations will be organized if necessary.

Covid-19 was also confirmed at a Stratford wastewater treatment plant in Taranaki on Friday after a test on Monday. ESR was due to conduct a second test in Stratford on Friday with results in two to three days.

Wastewater analysis is used as a monitoring tool to help detect the virus when he appears in the community.

This can be an early warning of the possibility of Covid-19 in a community, and can lead to increased local vigilance and testing, and allow health officials to seek advice and prevent transmission.

Wastewater is the water used from toilets, showers, bathtubs, sinks, sinks and laundry rooms that passes through New Zealand’s sewage system.

One liter samples are taken from sites around New Zealand and taken to Wellington where ESR tests them in his lab. The number of sites where wastewater is collected varies, but covers hundreds of thousands of New Zealanders.

Tests are available by appointment at the following locations in Hawke’s Bay

Napier: 06 650 4000 open 9 am-5pm

Hastings: 06 281 2644 open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Wairoa: 06 838 8333 open from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Residents of Central Hawke’s Bay should phone their GP or call Healthline: 0800 358 5453.

In Gisborne

The tests are available this Saturday and Sunday in a drive-through service located at 110 Peel Street from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., no appointment required.