COVID-19 Response Update – Latest cases in Tāmaki

As of 11:59pm, Sunday 14 February, Auckland will move to Alert Level 3 and the rest of New Zealand will move to Alert Level 2 until midnight, Wednesday 17 February.

Be vigilant, wash your hands, stay home if you are unwell, and sign in everywhere you go using the Covid Tracer App. While we wait for more information, kia noho haumaru – stay safe and ensure you keep informed.

Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Awa office remains open. However we will be following business guidelines for Level 2:

Whānau living elsewhere in Aotearoa – Alert Level 2

  • Whānau can still go to work if they aren’t māuiui.
  • Kura, kōhanga, schools, and day-care remain open.
  • Hui and gatherings are now restricted to 100 people.
  • Travel into Tāmaki is now restricted.
  • Whānau are asked to check out the locations of interest here to see if they need to stay home and get tested.

More information on Alert Level 2 can be found here.

Remember our tikanga hauora
Regardless of where you are in the motu, kia mau ki ā tātou tikanga hauora, remember our tikanga hauora to keep our whânau safe:

  1. If you are māuiui, stay at home. Call Healthline or your GP to check whether you need to get tested.  
  2. Keep track of where you’ve been – scan QR codes using the NZ COVID Tracer app and enable Bluetooth tracing on your device. Check that you have Bluetooth tracing enabled on the dashboard of the NZ COVID Tracer app. If you don’t, turn it on now. If you can’t use the app, download or request a COVID Tracer booklet, keep a calendar or diary.
  3. Practice good hygiene – wash your hands regularly, cough and sneeze into your elbow.
  4. Regularly clean high touch surfaces.
  5. Most importantly, be kind to one another.


For more information on COVID-19 and the latest cases, visit the Ministry of Health website or the Unite Against COVID website.

Moving to Alert Level 2

The Government has announced New Zealand will move from Alert Level 3 to Alert Level 2 at 11.59pm on Wednesday 13 May. Until then we are still in Alert Level 3.

Temporary limits on gathering numbers will be in place when we first move to Alert Level 2.

Cabinet will review Alert Level 2 restrictions on Monday 25 May.

Ngāti Awa Rangatahi

Over the last few months a group of Ngāti Awa rangatahi have been meeting to connect and to share kōrero. Now, as we move towards recovery in a Post-Covid19 era, another hui is taking place this Wednesday at 7pm. We’re KEEN to whakawhanaunga with our ahi kā (locals) and ahi teretere (uri who live away) and put our collective minds together to see what Ngāti Awa CAN look like moving forward post lockdown.

This is an initiative for rangatahi by rangatahi, to deepen our relationships and make rangatahi participation in iwi kaupapa accessible. 

For any and all rangatahi interested in participating in this kōrero we encourage and welcome you to join the ‘Zānanga’ on Wednesday to share your whakaaro or listen in. Nā reira nau mai haere mai! 

Changes to two Eastern Bay COVID-19 assessment centres opening days and times

There have been changes to the opening times of two of the Eastern Bay’s fixed site COVID-19 assessment centres.

The changes relate to the Whakatāne assessment centre’s Saturday opening times, whilst the Ōpōtiki centre (which was formerly operating on a Tuesday and Thursday) will move to Thursday and Saturday opening starting on Thursday 7 May. The opening times for the Kawerau assessment centre remain the same.

The opening times for all three fixed site Community Based Assessment Centres (CBACs) are:

Whakatāne (at Whakatāne War Memorial Hall)

Monday-Saturday                 9am-12.30pm

Sunday                                  Closed

Ōpōtiki (at Ōpōtiki Senior Citizens Hall) – starting Thursday 7 May

Thursdays and Saturdays     10am-2pm

Kawerau (at the Ron Hardie Recreation Centre Car Park)

Tuesdays and Thursdays      10am-2pm

Those attending the assessment centres are asked to note that, depending upon patient numbers, there can be a wait to be seen. Please be advised:

  • Please be prepared to wait, the process can take up to 30 minutes per person
  • If there are cars ahead of you, you can be waiting for over an hour. Patients are advised to be prepared for this and to bring water and snacks with them
  • You will need to remain in your vehicle at all times

All patients with the following symptoms are eligible to be seen at the drive-through assessment centres:

  • Cough
  • Shortness of Breath
  • Sore Throat
  • Runny Nose

All symptoms can be with or without fever. If you have your NHI number, please bring this with you. If you are unsure if you meet the eligibility, please call your General Practice or Healthline for advice.

Bay of Plenty Community Based Health Services Lead Dr Joe Bourne said hours at the CBACs would continue to change according to demand.

“Following on from previous statements made when we see, or anticipate, changes in demand we will increase or reduce our capacity to suit. We want these services to be as accessible as possible for our community, whilst also making best use of our resources.

“Depending on what’s happening within our communities as we move forward we will continue to flex with demand and amend opening hours accordingly. I would like to say that we’re really grateful to the community for their understanding with this approach.”

For the latest information on CBACs opening times please go to: https://covid19.bopdhb.govt.nz/assessment-centres/

For more details contact:

James Fuller

Communications Advisor – Bay of Plenty District Health Board

DDI: 07 579 8411

Mobile: 027 839 1791

Email: james.fuller@bopdhb.govt.nz

Bay of Plenty DHB Updates Visitor Policy

The Bay of Plenty District Health Board recognises the important role of visitors in the healing process. With this in mind, we have updated our visitor policy under COVID-19 Alert Level 3, while continuing to protect patients and staff from any potential risk of exposure.
 
Hospital facilities at Tauranga and Whakatāne have moved from ‘no visitors’ to a restricted visitor’s policy, effective immediately. However, this policy may change as we continue to monitor the risks to hospital workers and the public.
 
Visitor access is now as follows:
 

  • Visitors to be approved on a case-by-case basis at the discretion of the Clinical Nurse Manager/Clinical Midwife Manager or Duty Nurse Manager. This could be for compassionate grounds or for patients who are palliative and receiving end of life care.
  • An approved visitor can only enter and leave once daily.
  • One parent or guardian is able to accompany any hospitalised child age 16 or under in either the Children’s Unit or Emergency Department.
  • One nominated support person can accompany a woman in labour and birth. The nominated support person may visit once daily and stay as long as the woman wants. No overnight stays will be permitted unless the woman is in labour and for early post-natal support.
  • Mothers only, are permitted to the Special Care Baby Unit.
  • Should a patient be confirmed with COVID-19, or suspicious or probable for COVID-19, then no visitors are allowed.
  • In all cases where a visitor is allowed access to any BOPDHB facility, appropriate screening will take place before they are allowed to enter the facility to ensure they are well.
  • Visiting hours will be from 8am to 8pm, 7 days a week.

BOPDHB Incident Management Team, Incident Controller Bronwyn Anstis says the changes acknowledge the importance of visitors when family, whānau and friends are in hospital.
 
“We appreciate it has been a difficult time during Alert Level 4 and we are very grateful to the public for their understanding, and helping us to ensure that priority is given to the needs and care of the patients, the safety and security of staff.
 
We also need to ensure that contact tracing can be facilitated should any patient, visitor or employee subsequently be diagnosed with COVID-19.”
 
Ms Anstis says the BOPDHB has considered a number of factors in developing its policy for Alert Level 3. These include the number of patients currently in hospital and how physical distancing will be managed.
 
“Our policy may differ from those of other DHBs because we all have different circumstances and different factors to weigh up. We are confident that these visitor measures will allow us to keep patients and staff safe under Alert Level 3.”
 
In this period of a Restricted Visitor’s policy, Māori Health Gains and Development are available to provide guidance and support to Māori whānau who want to understand how to provide manaakitanga to their loved ones in the hospitals.
People wanting to discuss this change in policy can call the Patient Information Centre 0800 333 477 or email contactus@bopdhb.govt.nz
Whānau can ask to be referred to Māori Health Gains and Development through the Patient Information Centre.


Whakatāne COVID-19 assessment centre new opening hours from Monday 27 April

The Whakatāne COVID-19 assessment centre will be changing its opening hours from Monday 27 April.

The Community Based Assessment Centre (CBAC), based at Whakatāne War Memorial Hall, will be opening daily (except Sunday) from 9am-12.30pm starting Monday.

New opening hours: Whakatāne CBAC, at Whakatāne War Memorial Hall, Short Street

From, and including, Monday 27 April:

Monday-Saturday               9am-12.30pm

Sunday                                 Closed

Bay of Plenty Community Based Health Services Lead Dr Joe Bourne said the move was in anticipation of, and a response to, an increase in demand for services.

“Since we have been given a timetable for a reduction in Alert Level, and with the ongoing messages that anyone with the slightest cough or cold should get an assessment, we’ve seen increased demand at our assessment centres.

“Following on from previous statements made when we see, or anticipate, increased demand we will increase our capacity. We want this service to be as accessible as possible for our community, whilst also making best use of our resources, and we will therefore be open every day apart from Sundays in Whakatāne from 9am-12.30pm.

“Depending on what’s happening within our communities as we move forward we will continue to flex with demand and amend opening hours accordingly. I would like to say that we’re really grateful to the community for their understanding with this approach.”

The Whakatāne assessment centre is closed today (Thursday 23 April), open on Friday 24 April 9am-12.30pm and Saturday 25 April 10am-4pm, and closed on Sunday 26 April, before the new opening times begin on Monday.

While CBACs continue to support our healthcare system by assessing and treating people with, for example, coughs, colds and sore throat, general practice remains open and able to assess all other types of health issues.

For information on CBACs, the latest health updates relating to COVID-19, plus answers to frequently asked questions, go to covid19.bopdhb.govt.nz

For more details contact:

James Fuller

Communications Advisor – Bay of Plenty District Health Board

DDI: 07 579 8411

Mobile: 027 839 1791

Email: james.fuller@bopdhb.govt.nz

Address health concerns with your family doctor as usual

Have any health concerns you would usually see your family doctor about? Get in touch with your GP as normal, irrespective of the lockdown, that’s the message coming from Bay of Plenty GPs.

Local general practices and health organisations are strongly urging people to get in touch with their family doctor and health service providers with any health issues as they usually would.

Since the lockdown there has been a decline in patients contacting their local practices, a trend that is concerning said General Manager of Practice Services at Western Bay of Plenty Primary Health Organisation (WBOPPHO) Phil Back.

“It is concerning because it likely means that people are holding back from making contact with their doctor about health matters, which could result in conditions worsening,” said Phil.

The same was being seen in the Eastern Bay, said Eastern Bay Primary Health Association (EBPHA) Clinical Director Rachel Shouler.

“Practices are open, offering normal services and available to deal with all health issues,” said Rachel. “We need to be looking after ourselves through this lockdown and beyond, so putting off calling the doctor isn’t the answer.”

Some practices are now calling patients they know to have chronic health conditions to ensure they are doing okay.

Practices are operating based on advice and health guidelines designed to keep patients safe. All are asking patients to get in touch by phone in the first instance so that doctors can triage cases. Next steps are then advised.

“General practices are there to attend to all health concerns and wellbeing issues – whether they be acute or exacerbated long-term conditions,” said Phil Back.

“We are also urging people to apply for a Community Services Card from Work and Income if their financial circumstances have changed, such as loss of income.

“This card will ensure your healthcare is subsidised and therefore cheaper for you.”

Click here to find out more about the Community Services Card: https://www.workandincome.govt.nz/products/a-z-benefits/community-services-card.html

The Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners has published some FAQs on this subject on its website. To access them go to:

https://rnzcgp.org.nz/RNZCGP/Im_a_member/Support/Covid-19/Public_FAQs.aspx

ENDS

For more information and updates, visit the official Ministry of Health website COVID-19 page: https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/diseases-and-conditions/covid-19-novel-coronavirus

The BOP Health COVID-19 Response website https://covid19.bopdhb.govt.nz/ has good local information, including a contact email address for questions about COVID-19 bopcovid19@bopdhb.govt.nz

For more details contact:

James Fuller

Communications Advisor – Bay of Plenty District Health Board

DDI: 07 579 8411

Mobile: 027 839 1791

Fax: 07 577 9195      

Email: james.fuller@bopdhb.govt.nz

Website:  http://www.bopdhb.govt.nz/

Eastern Bay Pop-Up COVID assessment centre sites and times announced

Pop-Up drive-through COVID assessment clinics are continuing throughout the Eastern Bay of Plenty.

Destinations for the one-day clinics during April include Murupara, Waimana, Rūātoki, Waikaremoana and Ruatāhuna with more locations being assessed and planned where possible. The clinics ensure anyone with COVID-19 symptoms can access services without travel barriers.

The dates and times for April are as follows:

Murupara (in partnership with Te Ika Whenua Hauora)

Wed 15 April – Koromiko Street             10am-2pm

Tūhoe (in partnership with Ngai Tūhoe)

Te Waimana: Fri 17 April – Rugby Grounds                            10am-2pm

Rūātoki: Wed 22 April – Ohutu Marae                                    10am-2pm

Waikaremoana: Fri 24 April – Waikaremoana Clubrooms   10am-2pm

Ruatāhuna: Wed 29 April – Te Tii Hub, Ruatāhuna                10am-2pm

The mobile Pop Ups provide a kaupapa Māori mobile service to ensure small and rural communities have accessible COVID-19 assessment; and incorporates wrap around services. The drive-throughs have been set up by Te Puna Ora o Mataatua (TPOOM) and Eastern Bay PHA (EBPHA) with support from Bay of Plenty District Health Board (BOPDHB), in collaboration with local iwi in each area.

With future clinic times subject to change, in response to the healthcare needs of the community, ongoing dates for all COVID-19 assessment clinic services will be kept up-to-date at www.tpoom.co.nz

The process will assess, test (if needed) and manage people with potential COVID-19 symptoms while minimising risk of transmission and ensuring wrap around services are also offered. TPOOM is providing Whanau Ora support with resources, information and support ranging from information about hygiene and isolation through to hardship and emotional support.

For the coming week the operating times for the established static sites in the Eastern Bay of Plenty are as follows:

Whakatāne (at Whakatāne War Memorial Hall)

Thursday 16April      Closed

Friday 17April           9am-12.30pm

Saturday 18 April      10am-4pm

Sunday 19 April        Closed

Monday 20April        9am-12.30pm

Ōpōtiki (at Ōpōtiki Senior Citizens Hall)

Thursday 16 April      10am-2pm

Kawerau (at the Ron Hardie Recreation Centre Car Park)

Thursday 16 April      10am-2pm

All patients with the following symptoms are eligible to be seen at the drive-thru facility:

• Cough
• Shortness of Breath
• Sore Throat
• Runny Nose

All symptoms can be with or without fever. If you have your NHI number, please bring this with you. If you are unsure if you meet the eligibility, please call your General Practice or Healthline for advice.

All patients are required to arrive at the drive-thru assessment centre in a vehicle, only with people within your bubble. Those who don’t have access to a vehicle, contact the Te Puna Ora Covid-19 support line on 0800 MATAATUA (628 228) and press 9 for their dedicated line.

For more details contact:

James Fuller

Communications Advisor – Bay of Plenty District Health Board

DDI: 07 579 8411

Mobile: 027 839 1791

Email: james.fuller@bopdhb.govt.nz

Mental health and wellbeing

Ministry of Health has launched Getting Through Together which is an online platform with information and resources about how to take care of your mental health. This is the first of a range of initiatives to support the mental wellbeing of New Zealanders and focuses on helping people understand how they can look after themselves and others. It includes a section that is specifically for frontline workers. These resources can be accessed online or over the phone and are intended to supplement rather than replace the support that New Zealanders already receive from their doctors, mental health professionals and other services.