Central Otago has four new cases of Covid-19, bringing the district's number of active cases to nine.

Figures released by the Southern District Health Board (SDHB) this afternoon show there were also 48 new cases in Dunedin, three in Invercargill, 25 in Queenstown-Lakes, one in Southland and five in Waitaki, which brought the DHB's daily total to 86.

As of 1pm today, there were 239 close contacts isolating throughout the Southern District, including 70 in Queenstown-Lakes and 157 in Dunedin.

A note in today's statement from the SDHB noted Dunedin and Queenstown now had "widespread Covid-19 infections in the community".

"If you are out in these communities, please be extra vigilant," the statement read.

The statement also asked anyone who receives a text notification confirming they have tested positive, to do the online survey in the link they receive in the text message as soon as possible.

"This will ensure you can receive the appropriate care and support," the statement said.

People are advised that hospital visiting across the SDHB catchment is now limited.

Please note, the Ministry of Health’s daily reported cases may differ slightly from those reported at a DHB level. This is because of different reporting cut off times and the assignment of cases between regions, for example when a case is tested outside their usual region of residence. Total numbers will always be the formal daily case tally as reported to the World Health Organisation.

A SDHB spokeswoman said the DHB does not share personal information about people who have tested positive for Covid-19 unless there are compelling public health reasons to do so.

This includes the number of close contacts associated with exposure events and releasing case numbers in a way that may impact an individual’s right to privacy.

High risk locations of interest can be found on the Ministry of Health website.

There may be some delay to these locations going up. (The Central App also provides updates here: Locations of interest in Central Otago and nearby.)

The spokeswoman said there was now community spread of Omicron Covid-19 infections in our community.

"Please be aware that anywhere you go may put you at risk of contracting Covid-19, so please take all the precautions that you can; scan QR codes, wear your mask, practice good hand hygiene and maintain physical distancing where possible."

She said anyone who does have symptoms, or has been at a location of interest and has been advised to get tested, should do so and stay home until they receive a negative test result.

Otherwise, you do not need to get tested.

She said it was important we ensure people who are symptomatic, or have been asked to get tested were able to do so.

Due to our district’s geography, transporting swabs to the appropriate laboratory for testing may take some time – please be patient in waiting for your results.

Testing locations can be found on the WellSouth website.