COVID-19 testing
Updated 09/11/2020
The earlier we can spot a new COVID outbreak, the smaller we can keep it; every day counts. So we encourage people to come and get tested if they have a respiratory illness like a cold or sore throat. COVID specimen numbers in the Waikato are running at about 300 a day and we could comfortably test 1000 if needed. Please refer to national guidance on who to test.
Testing is done 7 days a week. Expected turnaround time is <48 hours and is usually <24 hr for specimens collected at Waikato Hospital. Selected cases may be tested urgently between the hours 08:00 and 22:00 by phoned request, but our capacity is limited to 4 or 5 cases each day. It is best to walk the specimen to the lab for urgent testing like this. Turnaround time for rapid testing is <2 hours.
ICU, HDU and Haem/Oncology: please phone 98606 to request. All other locations: please phone the Clinical Microbiologist on duty 027 2905255 to request
Dr Chris Mansell
Clinical Microbiologist
Latest laboratory specimen collection information can be found here
Waikato Respiratory Virus Report Week 47
25 November 2020
We’re seeing a wide diversity of respiratory viruses in the Waikato at present and anecdotally increased numbers of children presenting with more severe illness.
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Waikato Respiratory Virus 2020 Week 45
9 November 2020
Rhinoviruses, seasonal coronaviruses and adenoviruses are present but Influenza, RSV and SARS-CoV-2 are not circulating in the Waikato. Thank you for continuing to send in swabs for COVID-19 testing.
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Waikato Respiratory Virus 2020 Week 43
27 October 2020
It’s summer season for viruses already and we are seeing just a few rhinovirus and adenovirus.
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Waikato Respiratory Virus 2020 Week 41
16 October 2020
Influenza and RSV remain absent but there has been a rebound in diversity of other respiratory viruses since the return to Alert level 1.
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Waikato Respiratory Virus 2020 Week 40
8 October 2020
Specimen numbers for routine testing continue to decline. 1901 samples were tested for SARS-CoV-2 over the week ended Sunday 4 October and there were no positives from the Waikato community.
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