18 Mar 2020

Covid-19: NZ cases jump to 20 as travellers return

From Checkpoint, 5:09 pm on 18 March 2020

Twenty people in New Zealand now have the Coronavirus, as the number of cases jumped by two thirds on Wednesday.

It comes as the government on Wednesday urged New Zealanders abroad to return home before it's too late.

The Ministry of Health confirmed eight new cases of Covid-19 including four in Auckland, one in Christchurch, two in Waikato and another in Invercargill.

Director General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield says like all previous cases, they have all recently returned from overseas and he expects more cases as expanded testing continues.

He reiterated recent travellers should take the new border and self-isolation restrictions seriously.

On Tuesday night a student from Logan Park High School in Dunedin was confirmed as the 12th person with the virus.

The teenager became infected after his father returned from Germany and was confirmed with Covid-19.

Dr Bloomfield says the student developed symptoms over the weekend but attended school on Monday - forcing the school to close and many students have been sent into self-isolation.

Dr Bloomfield says the school will remain closed until after the weekend when most if the results will be back.

Around 50 tourists were also spot checked by Police to ensure they were complying with self-isolation rules.

Dr Bloomfield says additional restrictions are also being considered, following Australia's decision to ban gatherings over 100 people.