COVID-19 testing is ramping up in Auckland following the news of three new COVID-19 cases detected in the community.
Director-General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield and Health Minister Chris Hipkins confirmed the three new cases, all from the same family, on Sunday.
The family is based in south Auckland and the daughter, who tested positive, goes to Papatoetoe High School.
The hours for regional testing centres in Northcote, Balmoral, Henderson, and Otara are all being extended from Sunday with a new centre opening in Wiri.
Testing will be available until 6pm at Northcote, Balmoral, Otara, and Wiri. Testing in Henderson will be open until 4pm.
Additional testing will also be set up for the Papatoetoe High School community from Monday.
The Ministry of Health stresses the importance of the right people getting access to testing and asks the public to only get tested if they have been to a location of interest.
"Please don’t rush to a centre if you are well, or if you weren’t at one of the locations of interest."
So far the only locations of interest are Papatoetoe High School and PaknSave Manukau on February 12 between 3:45m and 5pm.
More locations of interest will be released by the Ministry of Health shortly and will include a number of Taranaki tourist destinations between February 6 and 8.
"If you have symptoms but have not been to a location of interest stay home and call Healthline for advice," the ministry adds.
"As always, if you are unwell with symptoms, take advice about getting tested before you head out - firstly by calling Healthline."
