Health providers and iwi are well prepared for Covid-19 in the Taumarunui community, says Ruapehu District mayor Don Cameron.
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This afternoon a positive case was reported in Taumarunui. It is the first for the area.
Cameron said it was only a matter of time until Covid reached the community, with the virus circulating in neighbouring regions.
"For the last little while the Waikato DHB, Kokiri Trust, the Te Taumarutanga iwi collective comprising Ngāti Hāua, Ngāti Tūwharetoa and Ngāti Maniapoto, the pharmacy together with other NGO's, government agencies and Council have been preparing for this moment," said Cameron.
"People should have every confidence that local health providers and iwi are well prepared to support the health and community response as needed including caring for people with Covid-19 at home."
Any locations of interest will be published by the Ministry of Health and people who have been using the Covid-19 Tracer App will be notified directly if they are a close contact, he said.
Anyone with cold or flu-like symptoms is asked to immediately isolate at home and get a Covid test, regardless of vaccination status.
There is a testing site at the Miriama Club in Taumarunui open from Thursday 9am to 3.30pm. Anyone outside Taumarunui with symptoms can call Healthline on 0800 358 5453, or see their doctor, nurse or iwi health provider.
Cameron said anyone who is yet to be vaccinated should do so immediately.
To book a vaccination, people can call 0800 28 29 26, or book online via Book My Vaccine, contact their GP/doctor, or in Taumarunui calling iwi health provider Te Taumarutanga on 0800 49 44 28 or the Community Covid-19 Hub on 0800 44 55 60.