Three household members of a COVID-positive remand prisoner released from Auckland’s Mt Eden Prison on e-monitored bail have tested positive for the virus, the Ministry of Health has tonight confirmed.
“Two of the three household members attend Mangatangi School on the Hauraki Plains. All three positive cases, and an accompanying adult caregiver, are being moved to a quarantine facility,” the Ministry said in a statement this evening.
“At least one of the young people was symptomatic at school on Thursday. The school has been closed and parents have been contacted. Arrangements are being made for the students and their families to be tested.”
The Ministry says there are nine people in the household – five others have tested negative and the ninth household member will be tested tomorrow.
The remand prisoner was released on e-monitored bail from Mt Eden Prison on 8 September to a residence in the Firth of Thames.
“Electronic monitoring shows he remained at the property from when he arrived on 8 September until he self-reported to Police at the East Coast Road boundary checkpoint at Waharau Regional Park. He was held in custody in a cell on his own until his court appearance in the Manukau District Court on Friday, 17 September,” the Ministry said.
A pop-up testing centre will be set up tomorrow at the Wharewaka Marae in Whakatîwai and the Ministry of Health is encouraging locals with symptoms to get tested.
“Anyone in the area with symptoms is asked to please get tested. Further information will be available tomorrow.”
