With positive Covid cases in Rotorua reaching 33 as of Wednesday, Te Arawa Covid Hub is urging people to isolate if they are a close contact and/or feel unwell – and most importantly, to stay in isolation if they test positive.

'Covid is here and it poses a real threat to the vulnerable people in our community,” says Dr Grace Malcolm, Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Pikiao GP and member of Te Roopu Hauora o Te Arawa.

'Please stay home if you are sick and ring your doctor or the Healthline for advice. If you can, please get a covid test at the Copthorne Hotel in Fenton St. They are open between 8.30 to 3pm everyday.

'We have teams and resources to support people from a health and a welfare point of view, and to support the wider whānau if they needed.

'We have 33 positive cases right now and Te Arawa Covid Hub – through Te Arawa Whānau Ora and Māori health providers – are supporting more than 100 people with wider support as a result.

'The impact of Covid is far wider than the positive individual and we're here to help.

'But, we need you to do your part and stay at home if you are positive or you are a close contact with anyone who is positive. It's hard sometimes – especially when we want to see our whānau, friends and neighbours or they want to see us. If you have Covid, please stay home and let others know to stay away for their own safety.”

Te Arawa whānau have also answered the call for additional Covid testers, with 40 people putting up theirs to receive PPE and swabbing training.

The group spent most of Tuesday at Lakes DHB undertaking training, and are shadowing the team at the main testing station today.

Lakes DHB Director of Equity and Outcomes Delivery, Mapihi Raharuhi says the commitment and enthusiasm of the group is inspiring.

Ms Raharuhi, who is also the Chair of Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Pikiao Health Services, says the call went out on Monday, with 40 whānau signed up by that afternoon.

'Our people are just amazing. Increasing our testing capacity means we can test even more people, and get a better understanding of the level of Covid in our community.

'With this additional Te Arawa workforce, we will be able to do pop-up testing in specific neighbourhoods to ensure we get the best understanding of local spread, to demonstrate the help we are able to provide whānau and local communities, and to provide on-the-ground information and support.

'Together we can do this, but everyone needs to do their bit.”