January 25, 2021
Ngātiwai help out with test queues
Northland iwi Ngātiwai is looking at ways it can help ease some of the pressure on COVID testing centres.
Thousands of people turned up for tests yesterday after a woman tested positive after leaving managed isolation and quarantine, and some were turned away after waiting for up to seven hours.
Ngātiwai chair Aperahama Edwards says there was a lack of water, toilets and other basic services for those waiting in queues.
"We've initiated discussions around collaboration and today we will be rolling out some of the initial collaborative efforts to provide some support and relief and manaaki to whānau who are at the testing centres and to staff manning those centres," he says.
People can also seek tests from their GP.
Meanwhile, tests on 14 close contacts of the Northland Covid community case have tested negative, and more close contacts should get their test results today.
The thousands of tests being taken will give a clearer picture whether the virus has spread.
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