Members of the public are asking how they can best support the residents at Radius Lexham Park aged residential care facility in Katikati, following the announcement on Friday of one of the residents testing positive for Covid-19.

'We're getting questions from people asking how they can help,” says Radius Care's communication team member Fred Russo.

On Friday 15 new cases were reported In the Bay of Plenty, of which six were in Tauranga and nine in the Western Bay of Plenty.

"We are reporting a case in a resident at Radius Lexham Park aged residential care facility in Katikati. The case is linked to a previous case in a staff member at the facility who tested positive on 27 January," says a Ministry of Health spokesperson.

"All residents have been self-isolating and daily Rapid Antigen Tests are being carried out for all staff and residents.

"The facility is following the recommended response measures including staff wearing full PPE."

Fred is welcoming messages of support from the community for the residents at Radius Lexham Park.

'Obviously, people can't enter the facility and packages are also problematic given the circumstances - they need to quarantine too," says Fred.

'But, if anyone wants to send our residents and staff well wishes and kind words they can email Clare Tulett, the activities coordinator, at the facility."

'The nurses and health care assistants will read these to the residents as well as post them around the building,” says Fred.

'I'm sure they'd love the support of their community.”

To send messages of support to the residents email Clare Tulett on Clare.Tulett@radiuscare.co.nz