Following the government announcement on Saturday 21 March 2020 of a COVID-19 alert system, visitors are now limited to two at a time for each patient in Whanganui Hospital and some appointments have been postponed.

Whanganui District Health Board has taken these measures to ensure people are as safe as possible during the national COVID-19 response.

At this stage, the number of visitors for patients in CCU or visiting those receiving end-of-life care will be on a case-by-case basis.

Visitors will be asked for their contact details in case they need to be contacted.

WDHB chief executive Russell Simpson says Whanganui is a whānau/family-centred community and knows limiting the amount of visitors may be difficult, although this measure has been put in place to keep the whole community safe.

One person is still welcome to stay overnight with their loved one.

“Someone will be on the door at the main entrance to Whanganui Hospital to explain to visitors about the process and talk through why access is limited and what they can do. All other doors to the main hospital, including the larger cafeteria near Lambie House will remain closed to the public,” says Mr Simpson.

“We encourage people in our region with whānau and friends in hospital to text and message their loved ones to keep in touch during this uncertain time.”

There have been no cases of COVID-19 in the Whanganui region to date.  

People who have been overseas in the last 14 days or in contact with someone who has been overseas in the last 14 days, or are unwell, must not visit patients at the hospital at any time.

If you suspect you are unwell, please call the COVID-19 Healthline on 0800 358 5453.

For the latest updates from the Ministry of Health please visit health.govt.nz/covid-19 and https://covid19.govt.nz/