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Archive: 2022

Respiratory Virus Testing

Updated 9 Dec 2022

RSV is still present in low numbers, mostly in young children. 

Influenza is not circulating, but we are seeing occasional cases come in with travellers from the Northern Hemisphere.

New cases of COVID-19 are still occuring.  Inpatient COVID numbers are steady at about 20 most days. We try to identify the majority of cases as they come in, many of whom have COVID contributing to their overall condition. 

Emergency Department patients with respiratory illness are now only routinely being tested for SARS-Cov-2, but under 5 year olds are also screened for RSV.  Asymptomatic patients admitted from ED are all being screened for SARS-CoV-2 by a loop mediated amplification (LAMP) test, which compares well with PCR and is sensitive enough to detect historical cases from 2 or 3 months ago.  RSV, Influenza and Adenovirus testing are available for any patient, on request.

Respiratory swabs received from the community (GPs) are tested for either SARS-CoV-2 alone or other viruses, as requested.

 

Dr Chris Mansell

Clinical Microbiologist

 

 

Latest laboratory specimen collection information can be found here

Waikato Respiratory Virus Report 2022 Week 35

05 09 2022

The Winter season is drawing to a close, but RSV is still present. There is a diversity of other viruses but Influenza has gone and SARS-CoV-2 has declined markedly.

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Waikato Respiratory Virus Report 2022 Week 32

15 08 2022

Influenza A continues to fall away and RSV continues to climb gradually. There is a small amount of Rhino/Enterovirus around and some Coronavirus OC43.

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Waikato Respiratory Virus Report 2022 Week 30

02 08 2022

We have seen one case of Influenza B.   Meanwhile RSV continues to increase and Influenza A is at low levels and falling.   Even Rhinoviruses are reduced.

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Waikato Respiratory Virus Report 2022 Week 28

18 07 2022

Influenza A is falling rapidly and RSV continues to build up.   Waikato Respiratory Virus Report week 28

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Waikato Respiratory Virus Report 2022 Week 27

11 07 2022

Influenza A has peaked.   This has been AH3N2 and the vaccine was a good match for it this year.   We also have a diversity of other respiratory viruses circulating.

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