18 April 2020

The Ministry of Health has announced one confirmed case of COVID-19 in the Whanganui Region.

This person, aged 20-29, who lives in the Whanganui District, is following self-isolation restrictions and does not require hospitalisation.

The person has not travelled overseas and has no known links to the seven other people in the Whanganui Region, who have now recovered from COVID-19.

Dr Patrick O’Connor, Medical Officer of Health, says the source of the infection is still under investigation.

The public health team is currently following up with other household members who have been tested (swabbed) on Friday 17 April. These results are pending.

Whanganui District Health Board Chief Executive Russell Simpson says the newest case reinforces the importance of complying with Alert Level 4 restrictions to slow the spread.

“Now is the time to be more vigilant than ever. Stay at home, stay in your bubble and if you are sick, call your GP or Healthline on 0800 358 5453, or visit one of the community based assessment centres in the Whanganui Region,” says Mr Simpson.  

Whanganui District Health Board will provide more information about this case as it becomes available.