COVID-19 (formerly known as Novel coronavirus)
COVID-19 cases
Detailed information about current cases of COVID-19 on the West Coast is available on the Ministry of Health website.
Map of COVID-19 cases on the West Coast
This map image shows COVID-19 case numbers in each territorial local authority in the West Coast District Health Board’s region.
Daily updates can also be found on the West Coast DHB’s Facebook page. You can also view previous daily COVID-19 case number maps below.
Cases information on the Ministry of Health website
- Current cases on the West Coast (MoH website)
- Current situation (MoH website)
- Case details (MoH)
- Cases reported each day (MoH website)
- Contact tracing locations of interest (MoH website)
Previous daily COVID-19 case number maps
20 May | 19 May | 18 May | 17 May | 16 May | 13 May | 12 May | 11 May | 10 May | 9 May | 6 May | 5 May | 4 May | 3 May | 2 May | 1 May | 30 April | 29 April | 28 April | 27 April | 26 April | 25 April | 24 April | 23 April | 22 April | 21 April | 20 April | 19 April | 18 April | 17 April | 16 April | 15 April | 14 April | 13 April | 12 April | 11 April | 10 April | 9 April | 8 April | 7 April | 6 April | 5 April | 4 April | 3 April | 2 April | 1 April | 31 March | 30 March | 29 March | 28 March | 27 March | 26 March | 25 March | 24 March | 23 March | 22 March | 21 March | 20 March | 19 March | 18 March | 17 March | 16 March | 15 March | 14 March | 13 March | 12 March | 11 March | 10 March | 9 March | 8 March | 7 March
Access to healthcare and visitor restrictions on the Coast
Changes at all West Coast DHB health care facilities
Visitor restrictions (including people attending outpatient appointments) at all WCDHB facilities effective from Tuesday 17 May 2022
West Coast DHB is easing its visitor policy in recognition of the fact we have passed the peak of the current Omicron outbreak and case numbers are slowly reducing.
The following visitor restrictions are in place for the West Coast DHB hospital (Te Nīkau) and other health facilities:
- Visitors or support people should not visit our facilities if they are unwell.
- Surgical/medical masks must be worn at all times at all West Coast DHB sites and will be provided if people don’t have them.
- Keep a safe distance from people you don’t know.
- Hand sanitiser stations are visible and must be used.
By adhering to these conditions, you help keep our patients, staff, other visitors and yourself safe. We thank you in advance for your patience and understanding as our staff work hard to protect and care for some of the most vulnerable in our community.
- Labouring people and those on the Maternity Ward are allowed two support people for the duration of their stay in our facilities.
- Parents/caregivers are able to be with their child in hospital.
Exceptions for people with disabilities
An exception will be made for people with disabilities who are in hospital or have to attend an outpatient appointment – where they need a support person to access health services. For example, a sign language interpreter, support person for someone with a learning disability, or someone to assist with mobility. The support person is in addition to permitted visitors.
Face covering exemption cards
The Exemptions Team at the Ministry of Health is now responsible for processing requests for Face Covering Communication Cards.
Updated information about mask wearing, and how to request an exemption card can now be found here. People unable to request an exemption card online can call 0800 28 29 26 and select option 2, or text 8988.
DHB Aged Residential Care facilities – updated 20 April 2022
Visitors are welcome at our Aged Care Residential facilities. One visitor per patient at a time – except where a child over 12 is being accompanied by an adult. All visitors will be screened for COVID-19 symptoms and must wear a surgical mask.
Hospital café restrictions – updated 27 April 2022
PeaBerry Café
Te Nīkau Hospital & Health Centre
Open: 8.00am – 4.00pm
Food and drinks are currently being served in takeaway containers only.
Visiting hours
Visiting hours remain unchanged.
Te Nīkau Hospital & Health Centre – updated 17 May 2022
| Children's Ward | 8:00am - 8:00pm |
| Critical Care Unit | 10:00am - 01:00pm 03:00pm - 08:00pm |
| General Ward | 10:00am - 02:00pm 04:00pm - 08:00pm |
| Maternity Ward | Under traffic light ORANGE – no visitors except for two named support people |
| Manaakitanga Mental Health Unit | 02:00pm - 08:00pm |
Buller Health Centre – updated 17 May 2022
| Foote Ward | 10:00am-02:00pm 03:30pm-08:00pm |
| Kawatiri Maternity | Under traffic light ORANGE – no visitors except for two named support people |
COVID-19 related media releases
View a listing of media releases related to COVID-19.
Latest updates
More COVID-19 related health information can be found on the Ministry of Health website www.health.govt.nz/covid-19
For information about the national response to COVID-19, go to www.covid19.govt.nz
COVID-19 Testing (including: RAT – ‘RAT tests’)
COVID-19 testing – updated 1 March 2022
If you are showing COVID-19 symptoms, or are a household contact, you can pick up a Rapid Antigen Test (RAT, or “RAT test”) to test yourself.
Details about where you can pick up a RAT are on www.healthpoint.co.nz/covid-19/.
Testing is free and is available to anyone who has COVID-19 symptoms or is a household contact.
- How to use a Rapid Antigen Test – Source: www.health.govt.nz
- How to report a Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) in My Covid Record – YouTube video
COVID-19 Vaccinations
What can you do?
Protect yourself and others
As per Ministry of Health Guidelines:
- Stay at home if you feel unwell
- If you are unwell, then phone your GP or the Healthline
- Keep going with good hygiene practices. Sneeze or cough into your elbow, wash and clean hands with soap or antiseptic hand cleaner.
- Face coverings / masks are not compulsory but consider using these when unable to keep physical distance – for example in the supermarket.
- Keep safe distances from people when out and about
- Continue to use the tracking app or personal record of places you visit
Infection prevention and control
- Our Infection Prevention and Control team continues to advise staff across the system on ways to control the potential spread of infection, including enhanced cleaning protocols, isolation procedures and the correct use of personal protective equipment.
Exception card for face masks
We know that some people who have a disability or health condition may not be able to wear a face mask safely or comfortably. If you cannot wear one, you can get a communication card. You can show your communication card when needed, for example to a taxi driver.
More information including how to apply for a face mask communication card is available on the Ministry of Health’s website – here.
About COVID-19
COVID-19 (formerly known as novel coronavirus) is a respiratory illness that can be transmitted from person to person through droplets. It has spread to every continent except Antarctica and over 170 countries and territories have laboratory-confirmed cases.
It appears that most cases identified to date have mild to moderate illness. In severe cases, though, the virus can cause pneumonia and severe acute respiratory infection.
How to access Healthcare
- If you need to see a Doctor or other medical professional you MUST phone first.
- Most consultations will happen over the phone (or by videoconference) to stop any risk of the disease spreading by person to person contact.
- If a face to face meeting is required, your doctor or other medical professional will organise this with you.
- If you cannot get through and are severely unwell, for example having trouble breathing, don’t hesitate to call emergency services (dial 111).
When should I seek medical advice?
If you are concerned about any COVID-19 symptoms you are experiencing, please contact Healthline (for free) on 0800 358 5453 or your doctor.
More information about accessing healthcare can be found on www.covid19.govt.nz
New Zealand citizens and residents returning home
Public health staff are working with border agencies to ensure New Zealand citizens and residents returning home are screened as they enter the country, and aware of the need to self-isolate and understand what that entails. Self-isolation means avoiding situations where you could infect other people. People who have to self-isolate are also asked to register with Healthline’s COVID-19 advice line by phoning 0800 358 5453.
Staff at airports and ports have information on hand that advises people what to look out for and what to do if they get symptoms.
Page last updated: 20 May 2022
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