Southerners have more options for accessing rapid antigen tests than anywhere else in the country, with collection sites
throughout the district.
From Stewart Island to Oamaru, there are 50 locations across Southland and Otago where residents can pick up
pre-requested RAT tests.
“To no one’s surprise, pharmacies, general practices and other agencies in Southern are going out of their way to do
their part helping people access Covid RAT tests. We are very grateful they have taken on this extra responsibility to
help their communities and whānau,” says WellSouth Director of Nursing, Wendy Findlay. “We also appreciate that so many
people in the community are getting tested when they have symptoms.”
Andrew Swanson-Dobbs, WellSouth CEO says creating the network of collection sites and supporting the distribution of the
RAT testing kits has been in the works for months: “This has been a big piece of work that’s been going on in the
background while our testing teams have also been supporting and delivering PCR testing in the community. Having testing
as accessible as possible is important for helping detect the virus and reduce its spread. Health providers in the
region will continue to do all we can to help in the Omicron response.”About Rapid Antigen Testing
At Phase 3 of the Omicron response, rapid antigen tests are the primary method of testing for the virus in the
community.
Anyone who has Covid symptoms, and the household contacts of a Covid positive case, can order rapid antigen testing
(RATs) through the Ministry of Health’s RAT requester website or by ringing 0800 222 478 (option 3).
An order number is provided for the collection of the RAT. Enough RATs will be provided for the individual ordering and
their household to take three tests. Collection sites are available on HealthPoint.
Please be certain to check the collections times at the collection site.When should you request rapid antigen testing?
• If you are unwell - even with minor symptoms, a runny nose or slightly sore throat, get a COVID test. Even if it is
negative, stay home until you are symptom-free.
• If a household member tests positive for Covid, isolate at home and get tested (Day 3 and Day 10 if you’re
asymptomatic, and immediately if you develop symptoms).
PCR swabbing and supervised RAT testing is available through Community Based testing Centres and many general practices
for healthcare workers, for individuals who cannot self-administer or register their own RAT tests and when public
health or a hospital doctor has asked for PCR test - for pre-admission, for example.
A PCR test is not required to confirm a positive RAT case. A positive RAT test is a positive Covid case.
For information on accessing testing in Southern see the WellSouth web site: https://wellsouth.nz/community/covid-19/ or call 0800 VIRUS19 (0800 847 8719).
Anyone who does not meet testing criteria (symptomatic or a household contact of a Covid positive case) can purchase
tests at some pharmacies and some retail outlets if, for example, they want to take a test before visiting a relative.Report your RAT
It is important to register both negative and positive RAT results through My Covid Record or call 0800 222 478 and
press option 3. This helps monitor the size of Omicron’s spread and it is important to register your positive RAT result
to ensure you have access to the appropriate care and support when you need it.
RAT Collection Sites as of 11 March. Please check HealthPoint for the most up-to-date lists of locations and for Collection HoursDunedin + South Otago + West Otago
Antidote Gardens Dunedin
Antidote Meridian Dunedin
Antidote Macandrew Dunedin
Antidote North Dunedin
Antidote Octagon Dunedin
Bates Pharmacy Balclutha
Catlin Health and Gifts Owaka
Green Island Boutique Dunedin
Highland Pharmacy Depot Lawrence
McNaughton’s Pharmacy Dunedin
Milton Pharmacy Milton
Roslyn Pharmacy Dunedin
Unichem Grays Pharmacy Balclutha
Unichem Taieri Pharmacy Mosgiel
WellSouth Community Testing Centre, Malcolm St, Dunedin
West Otago Health TapanuiInvercargill-Southland
Fiordland Pharmacy Te Anau
Glengarry Pharmacy Invercargill
Gore Health Gore
Gore Medical Centre Gore
Life Pharmacy La Hood Gore
Lumsden Pharmacy Lumsden
Mataura Prescription & Gifts Mataura
Milford Sound Tourism Centre Te Anau
Stewart Island Health Centre Stewart Island
Tokanui Medical Centre Tokanui
Tuatapere Medical Centre Tuatapere
Unichem Quinn’s Pharmacy Gore
Unichem Southcity Pharmacy Invercargill
Unichem Riverton Pharmacy Riverton
WellSouth Invercargill Invercargill
Windsor Pharmacy Invercargill
Winton Pharmacy Winton
Wyndham Health Centre WyndhamQueenstown Lakes and Central Otago
Antidote Queenstown Queenstown
Five Mile Pharmacy Queenstown
HealthCentral Alexandra
Highland Pharmacy Roxburgh
Lake Dunstan Pharmacy Cromwell
Life Pharmacy Queenstown Queenstown
Maniototo Pharmacy Ranfurly
Summerfields Pharmacy Queenstown
Wanaka Pharmacy Wanaka
Wanaka Events Centre Wanaka - Until 15 March
WellSouth Alexandra AlexandraNorth Otago + Waitaki
Kurow Medical Centre Kurow
East Otago Health Palmerston
Oamaru Pharmacy Oamaru
Unichem Northend Pharmacy Oamaru North Oamaru
Waihemo Pharmacy Palmerston