23 April 2020

The Whanganui District Health Board has today announced that the probable case of COVID-19 in the Whanganui region has tested negative from the most recent swab. This follows an earlier swab that produced inconclusive results.

The case will still be classed as probable and remain part of the COVID-19 statistics, leaving Whanganui’s tally at nine probable and confirmed cases.

The probable case is a family member of the confirmed case reported on April 17, and they are in the same household bubble.

The confirmed case is following self-isolation restrictions, being monitored by public health during recovery, and does not require hospitalisation.

Medical Officer of Health Dr Patrick O’Connor said a lot of work had gone into investigating how the confirmed case, a man in his 20s, contracted the virus.

“There have been no close contacts recently outside the household, and there is no reason to think anyone else has been infected,” he said.

“As yet, we have been unable to establish how COVID-19 came into this household, and it may be that we will never know.”

These two recent cases are not linked to the seven other cases in the Whanganui region, all of whom have recovered.

Meanwhile, Whanganui’s Emergency Operations Centre is spreading the message that there are several ways to get welfare support if it is needed.

Those with existing support networks should continue to use them. But if additional support is required, the following welfare teams can help:

· Whanganui District - call 06 349 0001 - this line operates 8am to 5pm with an after-hours response outside these hours.

· Horizons – call 0800 725 678 – this line is available from 7am until 7pm, seven days a week.

· Ruapehu south (Waimarino) - call 06 385 8364 – this line is available 24/7.

· Te Ranga Tupua Collective Iwi Response for help, advice and support for whānau in the Whanganui, Rangitīkei, Ruapehu, Mōkai Pātea and South Taranaki Region - call 0800 202 004 – this line is available 24/7.