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 SARS CoV 2 Lab Testing Report 15 March 2022
15 03 2022
We have greatly reduced the amount of testing done at the hospital lab, due to use of Rapid Antigen Testing in the community.
Read More
Waikato Respiratory Virus Report 2022 Week 10
15 03 2022
Update on traditional respiratory viruses other than SARS-CoV-2. Waikato Respiratory Virus Report 2022 Week 10
Read More
Memo Molecular tests prioritisation due to COVID 4 Feb 2022
21 02 2022
To:
Clinical Directors, All requestors of molecular lab tests
From:
Chris Mansell Clinical Microbiologist
Helen Moore Haematopathologist
Stephen Du Toit Chemical Pathologist
Date:
4 Feb 2022
Subject:
Limited Availability of Molecular Testing Due To COVID
The laboratory…
Read More
Waikato SARS CoV 2 Lab Testing Report 4 Feb 2022
04 02 2022
We have a rapid increase in community acquired cases this week. The test strategy is to try to detect all cases in the region, for contact tracing.
Read More
Waikato SARS-CoV-2 Lab testing report 2021 full year
07 01 2022
This is an overview of Waikato COVID-19 testing results for 2021.
Testing has been characterised by huge day to day fluctuations in numbers required.
Read More
