COVID-19 testing
Updated 11 Feb 2021
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 200 a day and we could comfortably test 1000 if needed. Please refer to national guidance on who to test. Locations where people can get tested in the community over Christmas and New Year are shown here.
Lab 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 urgent 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
