At least 400 people lined up outside a Christchurch supermarket today to get tested for Covid-19 - part of a targeted network of testing stations set up in New Zealand.
Christchurch's mobile testing station for Covid-19 coronavirus at Pak n Save on Moorhouse Ave. Photo: RNZ / Nate McKinnon
In addition to Christchurch, the Ministry of Health said so far the stations had been set up in five Waikato locations, and one in Queenstown.
Many of those who lined up outside Pak'nSave Moorhouse Ave, say while it was a long wait and a rather uncomfortable swab up the nose, it was all worth it for their health.
Among those queuing was Carol, who at the age of 71 is among the most vulnerable.
"I haven't been out of my house since the 28th of February, because my immune system is really bad. And I'm trying to protect our daughter who has been looking after us and getting groceries, and the test today is really quite horrible. But it's lovely they [medical workers] have come out on this cold day," she said.
People line up at Christchurch's mobile testing station for Covid-19 coronavirus at Pak n Save on Moorhouse Ave. Photo: RNZ / Nate McKinnon
Another one waiting in line was Christchurch resident Bob, who returned sick from the United States in January and tried to get tested at the time without success.
"I did originally [try to get tested] but the tests were not available. They didn't have the swab available at the time," he said.
"I think the idea of having it [testing stations] is excellent, should be more of it and it should have happened a bit sooner."
Director of Public Health Dr Caroline McElnay said the testing stations were part of advice the ministry received from its Covid-19 technical advisory group.
She said it was designed to increase confidence that there were no undetected cases of Covid-19 in New Zealand, particularly in areas identified as hot spots, where there were a number of cases.
"So it won't be perfect information, but it gives us a snapshot of people in the community and the reason that we chose supermarkets is because supermarket workers are in contact with a lot of people," Dr McElnay said.
Christchurch's mobile testing station for Covid-19 coronavirus at Pak n Save on Moorhouse Ave. Photo: RNZ / Nate McKinnon
Also queued up in Christchurch today was Gaylene Ball, who wanted to make sure she was coronavirus-free because she recently travelled across the Tasman.
"I just thought it would be a good idea to have a test. I had been in Melbourne in early March and I just thought, yeah, if we get a test why not? Best to know, than not to know," she said.
Running the Moorhouse Ave testing stating was Pegasus Health chief executive Vince Barry, who said they initially planned to do 300 swabs, but ended up doing 400 and had to close up early.
"Look it's fantastic. I mean, this is the one thing I think in some bizarre way New Zealanders or Cantabrians felt like they could actually contribute to this whole lockdown. So it was really important for us and for the health system in the country to be able to understand the general population," he said.
Barry said the results from today's swabs were expected to be known within 24 to 48 hours.
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