With Covid-19 and other illnesses on the rise, the Central Otago Recovery Response Group is reminding the public that free Covid-19 rapid antigen tests (RATs) and masks are available. 

There are a range of collection points for free RATs and masks across Central over the coming days and weeks: Four Square, Alexandra (July 25, 11am-2pm); Four Square, Clyde (July 26, 11am-2pm); Dunstan House, Clyde (July 28, 11am-12pm); Paper Plus, Cromwell (August 2, 11am-2pm); Information Centre, Ranfurly (August 3, 12.30-3.30pm), and Super Value, Roxburgh (August 4, 12.30-3.30pm). 

“Through the Central Otago Recovery Response Group, we are seeing a sharp increase in COVID-19 and other illnesses impacting across the district,” Central Otago District Council (CODC) Covid-19 recovery manager Dylan Rushbrook said.

 “The healthcare system and wider community has been put under significant pressure with a tight labour market, but this is further exacerbated by illnesses affecting individuals and whanau.”

He said most predictions point to August being a peak month for both flu and Covid-19 in the Southern region “…so now is the time to stay vigilant and keep up those practices of washing hands, wearing masks and taking sensible precautions to keep you, your whanau and friends safe.”