8 Mar 2021

Covid-19 update: Five new cases in MIQ, one previously announced border case

3:22 pm on 8 March 2021

There are five new cases of Covid-19 in MIQ and no new cases in the community on the country's second day in reduced coronavirus alert levels, the Ministry of Health says.

Coronavirus, Covid-19, 3d image illustration, microscopic view of floating virus cells. Influenza, 2019-ncov flu. Concept of a pandemic, outbreak corona virus viral infection.

File image. Photo: 123rf.com

In a written statement today, the ministry said one new border-related case reported last night would be officially added to today's tally, along with the five cases in MIQ.

Meanwhile police are now assisting with efforts to try and track down a gymgoer linked to Auckland's recent outbreak.

The Ministry of Health said the person is still to be tested, and health staff are working with the police and other agencies to try and contact them.

Yesterday evening, the ministry revealed the new border-related case - an Air New Zealand crew member.

The crew member went into quarantine, while their household contacts tested negative but remained in isolation at home as a precaution. Genome sequencing is due late tomorrow afternoon.

The ministry said the case remained symptom-free so public health staff were conservatively considering they may have been infectious since their last negative test on 28 February.

They have limited contacts and limited locations of interest because Auckland was at alert level 3, so risks to the public was considered low, the ministry said.

The person was believed to have been infected overseas shortly before they received a dose of the vaccine. Vaccines require two doses and take weeks to provide maximum protection.

Alert levels dropped at 6am on Sunday morning, with Auckland at alert level 2 and the rest of the country at alert level 1.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is expected to make a statement at 4pm after a Cabinet meeting today.

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