Workers conducting test swabs at the Splash Planet Covid-19 pop-up testing centre on Tuesday. Photo / Paul Taylor
Hawke's Bay had 18 new community cases of Covid-19 on Wednesday - part of the 3297 cases announced nationwide.
No new locations of interest were added for Hawke's Bay.
Hospitalisations continue to increase: there are now 179 people in hospital with Covid nationwide.
There are no hospitalisations in Hawke's Bay.
About 97.1 per cent of the eligible population have been partially vaccinated, 95 per cent fully vaccinated and 69 per cent have received their booster shot in the Hawke's Bay DHB.
Hawke's Bay DHB Covid-19 senior responsible officer Chris Mckenna said on Wednesday people in the region should expect delays of up to a few days longer for their Covid-19 test results.
She said increasing demand for Covid-19 swabs over recent days had created a backlog of 1000 tests to be processed.
"Both our Covid-19 testing providers and laboratory staff are working incredibly hard to manage demand, so we ask for understanding and patience as we continue testing and work through this backlog."
The DHB is also sending swabs for processing to the Canterbury Health Lab in Christchurch to help manage the load.
"By sending the overflow to Christchurch, we hope to reduce this backlog within a day or so."
She said it was crucial that residents only get tested if they were experiencing flu-like symptoms such as a cough, runny nose, or sore throat, or if they have been asked by hospital or Public Health staff to get a test.
"We understand with more Covid-19 cases detected in our community people will be anxious, but we ask people do the right thing and only get tested if they need to.
She said asymptomatic people with no reason to be tested will be turned away.
She said the DHB was finalising guidelines for rapid antigen testing (RAT) to include critical workers and people who meet certain criteria, which will help reduce demand on testing centres in the coming days.
"People who test positive with a RAT will be considered a probable case and will not require a PCR."
She said getting vaccinated against Covid-19 remained the best defence from serious illness for both adults and children, as those vaccinated were far less likely to fall seriously ill and less likely to transmit the virus.
Meanwhile, MidCentral DHB Covid-19 senior responsible officer Deborah Davies said on Wednesday morning there were active cases in the Tararua district.
She could not say the exact number.
Tararua District Council mayor Tracey Collis reminded residents to continue using social distancing and masks as well as scanning and asked those eligible for a booster to book at a regular clinic.
"We are prepared and we will get through this together."
Collis said plans were in place with the council, health providers and support agencies throughout Tararua to care for the community.
Drive-through Covid-19 Testing Centres in Hawke's Bay with no appointment required:
• Splash Planet Covid-19 Pop-up testing centre, Grove R, Hastings; open 10am-3pm, Monday to Sunday.
• Central HB Health Centre, 1 Cook St, Waipukurau: 9am-4pm, Monday to Friday, and 11am-1.30pm, Saturday and Sunday.
• Flanders Ave Covid-19 testing centre, Onekawa Pool/Netball complex, Napier: 10am-3pm, Monday to Sunday.
Covid-19 Testing Centres in Hawke's Bay with appointments required:
• 24 Kitchener St, Wairoa: 8.30am-5pm, Monday to Friday, and 3pm-4pm, Saturday and Sunday.
• 303 St Aubyn St West, Hastings: 8.30am-5pm, Monday to Saturday.
• Takapau Health Centre Covid-19 Community Testing Centre, 60 Charlotte St: Takapau: 11.30am-12pm Monday to Wednesday, and Friday.
• 124 Vautier St, Napier: 9am-5pm, Monday to Sunday.
Multiple people have seen the different listings and paid deposits or the full price.