COVID-19 Update:
Key points:
There are 12 new cases, and one probable. The total number of cases is 48
Please only go to community based assessment centres if you have symptoms
Please do not stockpile medicines, the supply chain for medicines is not impacted
2 of the 13 new cases are in Tokoroa. These two people tested positive after being followed up as close contacts of the family member who is part of the Auckland cluster.
12 out of 13 of the new cases have been linked to the existing cluster. The 13th case is in the hospital and is still under investigation.
Waikato’s DHB have confirmed that the two positive cases in Tokoroa are part of a household. They had contacts with 2 people in Auckland - the same people who visited a rest home in Morrinsville out of Auckland. The visit occurred while they were feeling well and before they were aware of any exposure. Others in the household have tested negative and staff at the DHB are providing support to the family. Close contact tracing is underway. Arrangements are being made to establish a bespoke quarantine arrangement for the wider family.
There will be a community testing facility operating in Tokoroa all weekend.
The Director General of Health has asked that all positive cases in the community, and where relevant, their family members and/or relatives be transferred to a quarantine facility. This is so we can greatly reduce the risk of transmission within households and in the community.
38 people linked to the Auckland cluster have already moved to a quarantine facility. This includes the cases and household members.
Our total number of cases to 1,251. We will report this to the WHO.
Our total number of active cases is 48. 30 of these are linked to the outbreak in the community.
We have one person receiving hospital care for COVID-19 at Auckland City Hospital.
Our National Contact Tracing service has 771 close contacts identified. As of 10 am this morning, 514 had been contacted. We ask anyone who is called by the contact tracers to take and return the call.
In addition to Mount Albert Grammar School, 2 other schools and a preschool are fully closed after a confirmed case had been linked to each of them. The two schools are Glamorgan School in Auckland’s North shore and South Auckland ’s Southern Cross Campus. The preschool is Taeaofou | Puaseisei Preschool, preschool. Auckland Regional Public Health is tracing close contacts. Whilst they do this, pupils and their families are being asked to remain vigilant.
Yesterday, 15,703 tests were processed in the country. The total number is now 524,414.
Update on aged residential care facility in Morinsville: 2 people who have tested positive visited the Kingswood restore in Morrinsville before they were symptomatic. The resident who has visited has tested negative, as have all staff members who had contact with the visitors. All staff have been tested and their swabs are being analysed. We expect the results later today or tomorrow.
Please do not stockpile on medicines. The supply chain for all critical medicines are not impacted by the current situation and pharmacies will remain open throughout all alert levels.
A reminder that if you are not showing COVID-19 symptoms, if you are not a close contact of any positive cases and if you do not work at the border or MIQ facilities, please do not come to the Community based assessment centres. This slows down priority testing for people who really need it.
Over the last 2 days, we’ve ramped up testing of border workers. This testing is compulsory. We expect all people-facing staff to be tested by the end of the day.
There are currently 5,515 people in managed isolation and quarantine. Our current effective capacity is 7,099. This gives us an excess capacity of 1,584. Over the next week, we are projecting 2,846 arrivals and 2,354 departures from our facilities.
As the Director general of Health said: The problem is the virus, people are the solution. There is no blame or stigma around having COVID-19, so please treat people with dignity and respect.
