21 Jun 2021

Covid-19: Three new cases reported in MIQ, none in the community

1:23 pm on 21 June 2021

There have been three new cases of Covid-19 in managed isolation facilities and none in the community.

Coronavirus particles, illustration. Different strains of coronavirus are responsible for diseases such as the common cold, gastroenteritis and SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome). The new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (previously 2019-CoV) emerged in Wuhan, China, in December 2019.

File photo. Photo: NOBEASTSOFIERCE/Science Photo Library via AFP

In a statement, the Ministry of Health said the new cases were all recent returnees in managed isolation facilities.

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Photo: Ministry of Health

It also said one previously reported case has now recovered.

The number of active cases in New Zealand is 23 and the total number of confirmed cases is 2364.

The seven-day rolling average of new cases detected at the border is one.

The ministry said since 1 January 2021, there have been 76 historical cases, out of a total of 548 cases.

In a bid to tackle misinformation about the Covid-19 pandemic and the vaccination rollout, the Medical Council is warning doctors spreading false information that it could cost them their jobs.

Medical Council chair Dr Curtis Walker said a small number of doctors were peddling conspiracies.

In Australia, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian wants 40,000 people to be tested for Covid-19 each day in a bid to track and contain the growing outbreak in Sydney's eastern suburbs. The so-called Bondi cluster grew on Sunday to nine cases.

The ministry said quarantine-free travel with New South Wales (NSW) remains in place.

"New Zealand health officials have determined that, at this time, the Covid-19 public health risk to New Zealand remains low," it said.

"Anyone who has been at a location of interest at the relevant time must contact Healthline on 0800 358 5453, get tested and stay at home until they get a negative test result. They are also advised to continue to monitor for symptoms and if any develop, get tested again."

The ministry said contact tracers last week got in touch with 6824 passengers from NSW who arrived in New Zealand before last Wednesday, when the first recent community case in Sydney was announced. These were travellers who had been in NSW since 11 June, it said.

Meanwhile in Brisbane, Queensland public health authorities last night announced a new community case in an air crew worker.

"Anyone who was at Brisbane Airport at DFO outlet shop between 4pm and 4.30pm, or the Brisbane Portuguese Family Centre from 7pm onwards on Saturday 19 June must, contact Healthline, get tested and stay home until they receive a negative result," the ministry said.

And Victoria today recorded one new locally acquired coronavirus case - the fifth consecutive day the state has recorded one or fewer new local cases.

Travellers to New Zealand from anywhere in Australia:

  • Must meet eligibility criteria before travelling, depending on their circumstances this can involve not travelling for 14 days if they've been in a location of interest, or having a pre-departure test if an order is in place involving the State they've been in.
  • Must complete the Nau Mai Ra travel declaration which allows contact tracers to get in touch with them if they've been in an affected area at the relevant time but have since travelled to New Zealand.
  • Are asked two sets of questions about whether they've visited a location of interest. Passengers are asked on departure from Australia by their airline and on arrival in New Zealand by Customs at the eGate. If they answer yes, they are rejected by the eGate and a Customs officer sends them to a booth. They are also referred to the Health team on duty.
  • Are given advice on what to do if they become symptomatic.

On Covid-19 tests, there were 2524 processed on Sunday and the total number of tests processed to date is 2,226,734.

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