The Southern region currently has 3,233 active cases of the Covid-19 virus, and there were 414 new positive cases reported in the past 24 hours.

Twenty were in Central; 20 in Clutha; 162 in Dunedin; 24 in Gore; 72 in Invercargill; 55 in Queenstown Lakes; 44 in Southland; and 17 in Waitaki.

There are currently 36 people in the Southern region in hospital with Covid-19: 15 in Dunedin, 11 in Southland, two in Queenstown; four in Dunstan; one in Oamaru; and three in Gore.

One person in Dunedin Hospital is in ICU.

“These high numbers continue to put pressure on our hospital systems,” Te Whatu Ora Southern said.

One hundred and forty-three people have died with Covid-19 in the Southern region to date.

Te Whatu Ora Southern medical officer of health Dr Susan Jack said current evidence shows your protection against infection after two doses slowly decreases over time. 

“Apart from mask wearing, a booster dose will give you greater immunity against Covid-19, including Omicron. Many older people will now be eligible for their second booster.

“It takes about two weeks after vaccination for the body to build full protection against Covid-19, so the time to act is now to help you, our communities and health service services get through winter.

“Boosters are still the best form of protection against getting very sick from Covid-19 and being hospitalised. We are strongly encouraging anyone who has not had their booster shot to do so now – this could make the difference between staying home and going to hospital,” she said.

Find out more about boosters here.

Susan said face masks are an easy and important way to minimise infectious droplets spreading when you speak, laugh, cough or sneeze. 

“We know wearing a mask can feel tiresome at times, but it does save lives,” she said.

“Finding a mask which fits you properly, taking regular breaks where it is safe to do so, and taking some long breaths before putting on your mask can help. By wearing a mask, keeping your distance, and washing your hands, you are not only protecting yourself, but your community as well.”

She also reminded people they can be infected with Covid-19 more than once.

It is still unclear how common reinfections are, but they are likely to become more common as new variants and sub variants spread across New Zealand.

“For most people illness caused by reinfection is likely to be no more severe than a previous infection, but they can experience different symptoms,” Susan said.