Those who have had a COVID-19 test may have to wait extra time to get their results.
The Hawke’s Bay District Health Board said there had been an influx of tests into Hawke’s Bay Hospital’s laboratory, with a backlog of about 1000 tests to be processed.
DHB spokesperson Chris McKenna said as a result of this, swabs are being sent to Christchurch for processing.
She said both COVID-19 testing providers and laboratory staff are working incredibly hard to manage demand, so ask for understanding and patience.
Mrs McKenna said it was crucial that people only get tested if they are experiencing flu-like symptoms such as a cough, runny nose, or sore throat – or if they have been asked by the hospital or Public Health staff to get a test.
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The MidCentral District Health Board has confirmed there are positive COVID-19 cases in the Tararua District.
Yesterday, the DHB said there were positive cases in both Dannevirke and Pahiatua.
For Central Hawke’s Bay, there are four active COVID-19 cases, with one new case confirmed as part of the 20 positive cases in the region yesterday.
In all there are 155 active cases in the region, with none requiring hospital treatment.
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For CHB residents requiring a test, drive-through testing is available behind the CHB Health Centre between 10am and 3pm today and tomorrow, and between 11am and 1.30pm on Saturday and Sunday.
The Takapau Health Centre is doing testing weekdays, except Thursdays, between 11.30am and midday. People requiring a test are asked to call the Health Centre to book.
There will also be two drive-through testing sites in Tararua today:
- Dannevirke - In front of Dannevirke Hospital from 10am to 2pm
- Pahiatua - Outside the Pahiatua Medical Centre on Centre Street from 11am to 12.30pm
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Central Hawke’s Bay Police removed nearly 300 cannabis plants from a property at Elsthorpe on Monday.
Senior Constable Andy Walker said Police received information from the pilot of an aircraft that had flown over a maize crop on Kahuranaki Road.
The pilot had noted some “fairly large, distinctive holes” cut in the crop.
He said 299 plants – varying between half a metre to 1.3 metres in height – were seized.
Mr Walker said it was a “very significant find”, with the cannabis having a potential street value of between 150 and 300 thousand dollars.
Police believe the cannabis was only recently transplanted into the crop.
