Keeping a check on things

Awarua Whanau Services chief executive Mata Cherrington was one of about 120 people swabbed at the Covid-19 testing site at Te Rau Aroha marae in Bluff yesterday.

WellSouth medical director Stephen Graham said those tested would need to wait up to 72 hours to get their results back.

"We're very lucky here that we have got a lab in Dunedin and generally process a lot quicker than other places."

Testing turnout was higher than expected, and more tests were needed.

"We've been doing quite a lot of testing of asymptomatic people, particularly Maori and Pacific Islanders, but also backpackers who are considered to be high-risk."

He said the testing was to address concerns the disease could be spread by asymptomatic people in the community.

"This is our attempt to find out if that is the case."