5 Mar 2021

Covid-19 update: No new community cases in NZ ahead of alert level decision

1:19 pm on 5 March 2021

There have been no new community cases of Covid-19 reported in New Zealand today, with Aucklanders to find out this afternoon if there will be a change in alert levels.

A person using the Covid Tracer app

Photo: RNZ / Dom Thomas

In a statement, the Health Ministry said there were also no new cases in managed isolation.

The government will announce at 4pm if the alert levels will change.

There are 68 active cases of Covid-19 in New Zealand and there have now been a total of 2033 cases.

The Ministry said further results from ESR's wastewater testing have come in.

"Samples taken on Wednesday from three Auckland sites, including Papatoetoe, have all come back negative for the virus. An additional sample was taken from a site closer to Papatoetoe on the same day, also testing negative.

"A sample from the South Western Interceptor came back positive for the same day, but this is a regular occurrence as it is near the Auckland quarantine facility."

Yesterday there were no new community cases of Covid-19 in New Zealand reported while six imported cases had been found in managed isolation.

Director General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield warned in yesterday's briefing that there was still more testing needed before it is certain the virus has not spread further in the community.

Follow our liveblog here.

Auckland is at alert level 3 while the rest of the country is at alert level 2.

Cabinet meets today to discuss whether there will be a change to alert levels and a further announcement is expected at 4pm.

This is an official government Covid-19 announcement:

On 28 February, the Auckland region moved to Covid-19 Alert Level 3. The rest of New Zealand moved to Alert Level 2. This is for a period of seven days. Further community cases of Covid-19 have been identified in the Auckland Region. If you are in Auckland, stay home where possible, and follow Alert Level 3 guidelines. This will stop the transmission of Covid-19 and save lives. For more information on the alert levels go to covid19.govt.nz.

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