New Zealand’s COVID-19 outbreak has spread to Wellington, with three new cases confirmed in the capital today and the nation’s lockdown extended until midnight next Tuesday.
The Ministry of Health has confirmed 11 new cases of COVID-19 – bringing the total number of cases associated with the current Auckland community outbreak to 31.
“All cases have or are being transferred safely to a managed isolation facility, under strict infection prevention and control procedures, including the use of full PPE,” the Ministry said today.
“Of the 11 new cases, eight are in Auckland and three are in Wellington. The three in Wellington had recently travelled to Auckland and visited a location of interest there.
“The international Air New Zealand crew member, reported yesterday, has now been confirmed as a border-related case, and not linked to the Auckland outbreak, based on the results of whole genome sequencing.”
Nineteen cases are now confirmed as part of the Auckland outbreak, with the remaining 12 under investigation to confirm the linkage to the outbreak.
“Initial assessment shows in most cases there is a plausible link.”
Of the 11 new community cases reported today:
- One case is in a family bubble with a case reported yesterday;
- One case is in a family bubble with a case reported on Wednesday;
- One case is in a family bubble with a case also reported on Wednesday;
- Two of the cases we are reporting today are also in a family bubble together.
Public health officials are currently conducting interviews to establish how the new cases were infected and to determine further details of their movements.
In addition, there are two new cases in recent returnees in a managed isolation facility.
