7 Nov 2020

Covid-19 update: Quarantine worker the only new case reported today

1:40 pm on 7 November 2020

The one new community case revealed last night and a historical case are the only cases of Covid-19 reported in New Zealand today.

Portrait of asian woman drive thru coronavirus covid-19 test by medical staff with PPE suit by nose swab. New normal healthcare drive thru service and medical concept.

Photo: 123rf.com

There was no media conference today. In a statement, the Health Ministry said there were now 43 active cases.

It said the historical case is a recent returnee who arrived in New Zealand on 5 October from London via Singapore.

"Upon arrival at their managed isolation facility, they alerted staff to their previous positive test which was confirmed in London on 19 September. They were tested again and returned a positive result on 5 October, with a high CT value indicating an old infection, consistent with this earlier positive result.

"We are awaiting confirmation that the case has been recorded in the United Kingdom totals, and until then are classifying it as a historical case which will be reported in our case numbers."

The total number of confirmed cases is now 1620 and there were 5834 tests completed yesterday.

It was revealed last night that a worker at an Auckland quarantine facility had tested positive for Covid-19.

While infectious, the person visited Auckland's Mezze Bar and a Queen St bottle shop on 5 November. People who visited the businesses are being asked to watch for symptoms. The two premises have closed for a deep clean.

The Ministry said today it had identified 25 close contacts of the worker and they had all gone into isolation and were being tested. So far, six have returned a negative result.

"This person quickly got tested after developing symptoms, which has allowed us to act quickly to stop the spread of the virus.

"A review of the movements of the case and their contacts is underway - the case has provided a very detailed account of their movements which has informed a rapid contact tracing response."

Less than 20 people received an alert from the NZ Covid Tracer app, telling them they had scanned into the business at the same time as the person who later tested positive.

"This case once again reinforces the importance of everyone who is able to using the app to keep a record of where they have been - it allows our contact tracing team to quickly notify you if you may have been exposed to this virus, and allows you to take immediate action to protect yourself, your whānau, and your community."

The Ministry said a pop-up testing clinic was held at the Auckland quarantine facility this morning to test all staff.

"This is supplementary to the regular testing that workers in managed isolation facilities undertake as part of ensuring the virus does not leave the facility. Additional testing is also underway for staff who work at other managed isolation facilities who are staying in the same accommodation facility as this case."

See RNZ's full coverage of Covid-19

  • If you have symptoms of the coronavirus, call the NZ Covid-19 Healthline on 0800 358 5453 (+64 9 358 5453 for international SIMs) or call your GP - don't show up at a medical centre

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