In the days ahead, up to 38 patients could be in intensive care units across the South at any one time, Southern District Health Board chief executive Chris Fleming says. However, at the moment there is a possible shortfall of capacity in units in the Southern district. Director of public health Caroline McElnay revealed yesterday there were 47 new confirmed cases and 14 probable cases in New Zealand, bringing the country’s total to 708. "And overall we have capacity presently ... for about 34, so we’re still figuring out how to move further beyond that. The hospital’s inpatient ward reopened yesterday in a limited capacity after 40 staff were able to return to work.

Source: Otago Daily Times April 01, 2020 15:22 UTC