Lincoln University students and staff have been warned of a COVID-19 text scam doing the rounds after some were incorrectly told they had tested positive for the disease.
The university says it was alerted to a text message sent to students and staff that read: "Your COVID-19 test has returned positive. We will contact you with further instructions. Ruth MacAskill, Lincoln Student Health Center."
Dr Hamish Cochrane, Lincoln University's COVID-19 critical incident lead, told Newshub the message was a scam and its contents incorrect.
"Students and staff have been alerted to the fact that this is a scam, and have been requested to delete the message immediately," he said.
"It has also been highlighted that any positive COVID-19 test results would be communicated directly by the Canterbury District Health Board and the Ministry of Health, and not by the Lincoln University Student Health Centre."
Dr Cochrane said staff or students with questions or concerns should direct them to the university on 0800 10 60 10 or email grow@lincoln.ac.nz.
No community COVID-19 cases have yet been detected in the South Island, with the 31 cases identified in the latest outbreak so far all confined to the North Island - 28 in Auckland, and three in Wellington.
However on Wednesday, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said some people who visited locations of interest may be in the South Island.
An announcement will be made by the Prime Minister and Director-General of Health on whether the nationwide alert level 4 lockdown will come to an end or be extended on Friday afternoon.
They are scheduled to speak at a press conference from the Beehive at 3pm, which will be available to watch on the Newshub website.
