From Monday morning, Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) will be made available at all Auckland testing sites to those who fit the appropriate clinical criteria.
The testing site will determine which test (PCR or Rapid Antigen) is best for you. Rapid antigen test results are available in about 20 minutes compared to 2 to 5 days for a PCR test.
As of today Ministry of Health is reporting 2522 new Community COVID-19 cases located in the following regions: Northland (41), Auckland (1,799), Waikato (188), Bay of Plenty (86), Lakes (11), Hawke’s Bay (24), MidCentral (13), Whanganui (2), Taranaki (9), Tairāwhiti (12), Wairarapa (14), Capital and Coast (54), Hutt Valley (25), Nelson Marlborough (53), Canterbury (76), South Canterbury (1), Southern (111), Unknown (3).
The number of new cases identified at the border is 17 (including 4 historical cases). This comes as the country is in the Red setting of the ‘traffic light’ system at Phase 2 of its Omicron Response Plan and as the country prepares to open up its borders for international travellers from 27 February from Australia in the first phase.
For information about getting a test, visit the UNITE Against COVID-19 website.
Image Credit: F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd