With Manurewa one of seven Auckland suburbs identified by the Ministry of Health as needing more COVID-19 testing, Auckland Council Manurewa-Papakura Ward Councillor Angela Dalton is urging residents to heed the call.
A small number of unlinked positive cases have been recorded despite the person not having been to a location of interest, and Dalton says South Auckland features heavily on the list of areas where that is of concern.
“Mangere, Favona, Otara, Papatoetoe and Manurewa are all on the list, alongside Massey in the west and Mt Eden closer to the city, and we need higher testing rates to help get the outbreak under control.
“Everyone, especially anyone with even mild symptoms or who is just feeling a bit under the weather, needs to do their bit by getting tested.
“All people from Manurewa and Papakura, and particularly from within our very strong Pasifika community, can take this step and be part of the solution to this pandemic. If anyone has any questions, they can call the Pacific Healthline on 0800 21 12 21 for advice.”
The councillor says she’s witnessed amazing kindness in the community throughout the lockdown.
“We are at least another week at Alert Level 4 before we move to Alert Level 3, and I know many people are really feeling it, but we can get through this together, taking our cue from the efforts of people like the ASA Foundation, the Pride Project, the Sikh community out of the Takanini Gurdwara and Manurewa and Papakura Marae.
“Lockdown can be isolating, and others are dealing with having no income and wondering how they are going to meet the rent or put food on the table, but there is help available.
“The Government is funding many organisations to get food and care packages to those who need them. If you need support with kai, PPE, well-being or anything during this lockdown don't be shy to reach out. Support agencies are listed here [PDF].
She says the ongoing vaccination and testing efforts in the area have been magnificent but for them to work, residents must play their part.
“On top of all it’s already doing we’ve seen a drive-through vaccination site set up at Papakura Marae for people with a disability and those with mental health concerns.
“It’s open from 9am-3pm Monday-Friday at Hunua Rd in Papakura. There’s no need to book, all you need do is tell security you have brought along whanau with a disability, and they will direct you.”
She says she’s proud to represent the area. “We have an abundance of aroha and we look after each other. This is Te Wiki o te Reo Māori so we can say: ‘He waka eke noa, kia kaha whanau - we are all in this together, hang in there’.”
