COVID testing centres remain open in Lakes DHB area
Anyone with cold or flu symptoms is recommended to call Healthline (0800 358 5453) or their GP but the drop-in centres will not turn down anyone wanting to be tested.
The test sites in both Rotorua and Taupo are open Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays only. GPs can also give you a test.
It’s important that if you are offered a test that you take it. It helps ensure there is no community transmission and helps keep your friends, family and whānau safe.
Anyone who works in healthcare, is an aged care worker or anyone who would have a greater risk of poor health outcomes if they were to get COVID-19 is also encouraged to be tested if they develop symptoms.
If you are in these groups, you do not need to self-isolate while you wait for your test results, but you should stay home while you are unwell.
Demand for testing has significantly reduced from its peak of a combined 910 tests at both sites the week after the managed isolation facilities opened, to below 100 a week across the Lakes DHB area.
If there is a change in demand the hours will be revisited.
The Rotorua site is at 2 Vaughan Rd, Taupo at 95 Miro St.
Opening hours:
Rotorua: Monday, Wednesday, Friday 9am to 4pm
Taupo: Monday, Wednesday, Friday 10am to 3pm
Both testing centres are closed weekends
For Bay of Plenty region, we encourage anyone with clinical symptoms of COVID-19 – runny nose, cough, fever etc. – to be assessed for COVID-19 testing. If you have symptoms call your general practice and they will organise for you to either come to the practice or visit or Pathlab for your test. In WBOP testing is also available at Accident and Healthcare 8am to 9pm every day of the week.
In the past two weeks we have seen a small increase in people having tests done – many thanks to everyone who is getting a test as this contributes to our continuing efforts to keep COVID out of Aotearoa.