Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
COVID-19 Public Advisory - 27 October 2021
Latest update on COVID-19 testing
Today we are reporting six new linked cases of COVID-19 in Waikato, all in Hamilton. Five were known contacts and were already in isolation. The sixth has now also been linked to previous cases and is also isolating.
This brings total cases for Waikato during this outbreak to 97. There are now five cases for which epidemiological links remain under investigation. Thirty-six of the 97 cases are now classified as recovered.
| Location | Number of cases |
| Te Awamutu/Kihikihi | 35 |
| Hamilton* | 31 |
| Raglan | 23 |
| Cambridge/Karāpiro | 3 |
| Ōtorohanga | 2 |
| Whatawhata* | 2 |
| Kāwhia | 1 |
| 97 |
Public Health investigations into the new cases are continuing. Information on locations of interest is published on the Ministry of Health website as soon as it is available:
www.health.govt.nz/locationsofinterest
Testing continues at locations throughout the region to help determine any undetected community spread of COVID-19. On Tuesday 26 October, there were 1,860 tests processed for the Waikato and 3,614 vaccinations.
Testing locations can be viewed on the Healthpoint and Waikato DHB websites.
We are urging anyone in Waikato to get tested if they have any symptoms that could be COVID-19.
People can also get tested on appointment at GP practices across the region, including designated GP practices that take enrolled and non-enrolled patients. See Healthpoint for a full list of options.
It is important that our testing facilities are available for those priority individuals who meet the criteria for seeking a test at this time. This allows us to rapidly investigate whether there has been any community spread.
Anyone who has cold or flu-like symptoms, is following guidance relating to a location of interest or has been directed by Healthline or a GP should seek a test immediately.
Otherwise, people should call Healthline on 0800 358 5453 or their GP for guidance before seeking a test.
It is free to get a COVID-19 test, wherever you go.
COVID-19 testing centres
Testing locations in and around Waikato are available on the Healthpoint and Waikato DHB websites
TE AWAMUTU
Te Awamutu Event Centre carpark, Gorst Avenue, Te Awamutu
Wednesday 27 and Thursday 28 October 10am-4pm
ŌTOROHANGA
Ōtorohanga Sports Club carpark, Island Reserve, Orahiri Terrace, Ōtorohanga
Wednesday 27 and Thursday 28 October 11am-3pm
WHATAWHATA
Te Papa O Rotu, Māori Point Road, Whatawhata
Wednesday 27 to Friday 29 October 11am-2pm
SOUTH WAIKATO
Tokoroa Hospital carpark (by medical centres), Maraetai Road, Tokoroa
Wednesday 27 and Thursday 28 October 10am-2pm
HAMILTON
Founders Theatre carpark
Entrance off Norton Road
Daily 8am - 4pm
Claudelands Event Centre
Gate 3, Brooklyn Road
Daily 10am - 6pm
Te Kohao Health,
951 Wairere Drive, Hamilton East
Monday - Friday 10am - 4pm
GP practices
General practices across the Waikato are testing patients and designated GPs are testing non-patients also. See Healthpoint for a full list of GPs offering COVID-19 testing or call your GP to check. COVID-19 tests are free. Please ring first to make an appointment.
Latest update on COVID-19 vaccinations
Reporting on vaccination rates is at TLA level is provided by the Ministry of Health. This data is as at 11am 26 October 2021 and is the latest data available.
| Territorial local authority | 1st doses | 2nd doses | 1st doses as a % of eligible population | Fully vaccinated as a % of eligible population |
| Hamilton City | 125,164 | 102,817 | 88.3% | 72.5% |
| Hauraki District | 13,235 | 10,212 | 77.3% | 59.6% |
| Matamata-Piako District | 25,157 | 19,376 | 82.7% | 63.7% |
| Ōtorohanga District | 6526 | 4776 | 75.6% | 55.4% |
| Ruapehu District | 5026 | 3699 | 75.6% | 55.6% |
| South Waikato District | 15,332 | 11,105 | 76.9% | 55.7% |
| Thames-Coromandel District | 22,863 | 19,459 | 82.4% | 70.2% |
| Waikato District | 40,947 | 32,801 | 83.3% | 66.7% |
| Waipa District | 43,006 | 34,617 | 89.3% | 71.8% |
| Waitomo District | 6319 | 4728 | 83.5% | 62.5% |
| Waikato region | 303,578 | 243,593 | 85.0% | 68.2% |
Data at SA2 level (approximately equivalent to suburb) is available on the Ministry of Health website.
Vaccination data
To date (as at 9.23 am 27 October), 548,038 COVID-19 vaccinations have been delivered at vaccination sites in the Waikato.
- 303,787 first doses have been administered
- 244,251 second doses have been administered
- On 26 October, 3,614 vaccinations were delivered across the Waikato.
Pop-up vaccination sites and vaccination clinics
Hours at the Te Awa The Base community vaccination centre in Te Rapa, Hamilton, have been extended from this week. The vaccination centre will now open from 9am to 9pm every Thursday and Friday, starting 28 October, until Christmas to cater for people who cannot be vaccinated during normal working hours.
There are number of pop-up vaccination centres operating across the Waikato this week. Details are at www.waikatodhb.health.nz/covid19mobile.
The Cambridge community vaccination centre at Cambridge Community Marae is closed from 20 October. Vaccinations will continue to be available at Cambridge Medical Centre (bookings essential via www.bookmyvaccine.nz or 0800 28 29 26) and Unichem Cambridge (offering both walk-ins and bookings). There is good capacity at both sites to support the community. Vaccinations are free wherever you go.
- Mobile vaccination clinics are rolling out across the takiwā with regular visits to locations through to the end of the year. The schedule is on the Waikato DHB website and will be regularly updated with more dates and locations.
- Also visit the Waikato DHB FB page for up-to-date mobile vaccination clinic locations.
- In Hamilton and elsewhere in the Waikato, you can get your vaccinations at GPs, pharmacies, mobile sites and at our vaccination centres. There's lots of options, so come along and meet the friendly vaccination teams.
- Walk-in appointments are available at many vaccination sites across the Waikato.
- People can now also bus free to and from their vaccination appointment if they show proof of their booking. See busit.co.nz/vaccination for more details.
Reminder - Making a vaccination appointment
Although walk-ins are available at many vaccination sites, the best way of guaranteeing a vaccination on the time, day and place of your choosing is still to book.
- If you have made a booking and are not able to attend your appointment, please cancel your booking so someone else can use that appointment time.
- If you are unsure when your appointment is, check on the booking system at https://app.bookmyvaccine.covid19.health.nz/manage using your contact number or email address and booking reference. Alternatively, you can call 0800 28 29 26 for assistance.
- Everyone aged 12+ can now visit bookmyvaccine.nz to make their bookings.
- We ask everyone when attending their appointments under Alert Level 3 to follow the key public health measures detailed on the Unite Against COVID-19 website.
If people have flu-like symptoms
Do not come into the hospital if you have cold or flu-like symptoms.
If you are concerned about your risk of COVID-19, please ring Healthline (0800 358 5453). They will tell you if you need to be tested and what to do next.
- It is free to get a COVID-19 test
Waikato District Health Board
Healthy People. Excellent Care
Waikato District Health Board (DHB) employs over 6500 people and plans, funds and provides hospital and health services to more than 391,770 people in a region covering eight per cent of New Zealand.
Gordon Campbell: On How Slavishly This Government Is Serving Its Corporate Donors
LGNZ: Government Changes To Water And Waste Levies Will Push Up Rates
Pure SEO: An Investigation In The Carbon Emissions Of Members Of Parliament (MPs) In NZ
NZ Government: Government Releases Independent Scientific Review On Biogenic Methane Science And Targets
NZ Police: Firearms Registry Instrumental In Arrest Of Suspected Firearms Diverters
Environmental Defence Society: Marine Spatial Planning Is A Game-Changer
Stuff: Honeymoon Over For National, Poll Suggests
