Covid-19 is continuing its spread into central and western parts of the North Island, with active cases now confirmed in Rangitīkei, Whanganui and the Ruapehu district.
Many families with children queued up for Covid-19 testing at Whanganui Hospital today. Photo: Supplied/ Moana Ellis
The Whanganui District Health Board reported 10 new cases today - eight in Whanganui and another two in Marton.
There are now 54 active cases in the region - 27 in Marton, 25 in Whanganui and two in Bulls. And the Waikato District Health Board is reporting a further four cases in Taumarunui.
The two new cases in Marton are the first reported since Saturday, following limited availability of community testing in the Rangitīkei township.
In Whanganui, the number of cases is climbing steadily, and includes confirmed cases at Carlton primary school and Whanganui High School.
More than 50 cars were queuing for testing at Whanganui Hospital's testing station around midday today, many with children.
Subway sandwich bar on Victoria Avenue opposite Pak'nSave has been named as a location of interest after a visit by a person with the virus on Thursday.
Meanwhile, Whanganui iwi Tūpoho expanded its Whanganui saliva testing operation and is now running clinics five days a week, with new pop-up testing stations in Castlecliff and Whanganui East.
Tūpoho opened Inspire Manaaki Whānau Centre in mid-January, offering saliva testing as a non-invasive alternative to nasopharyngeal or nasal swabs. Its central-city clinics run in Wilson Street, Whanganui, on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
The pop-up saliva testing stations are at the Carson Street carpark in Castlecliff on Tuesdays, between 10am and 2pm, and at the Hakeke Community centre in Whanganui East on Thursdays, between 10am and 2pm.
A steady stream of cars were pulling in for saliva testing at the Castlecliff clinic today.
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