28 Jul 2021

Covid-19: One new case in MIQ; wastewater samples clear in Taranaki

12:48 pm on 28 July 2021

There is one case of Covid-19 in managed isolation and none in the community, the Ministry of Health says.

A laboratory staff sticks a barcode with UID (Unique Identity Number used in India) on samples collected for Covid-19 coronavirus testing

Photo: AFP

Daily sampling from the New Plymouth wastewater treatment plant, and sampling from other sites around the Taranaki region, have not returned any signs of Covid-19, the ministry said in its statement.

Ten previously reported cases have now recovered. The number of active cases in New Zealand is 43.

Since 1 January 2021, there have been 109 historical cases, out of a total of 691 cases.

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

The country's total number of confirmed cases is 2508.

Fishing vessel updates

The Mattina remains in quarantine in Bluff and cannot be accessed by the public. Every safety precaution has been taken to ensure the public health risk, which has been deemed low, remains that way, the ministry said.

The crew of the Playa Zahara have now all recovered and no one remains onshore in managed isolation. Deep cleaning of the vessel is being undertaken today and the vessel is expected to depart once this is completed.

The remaining six of the Viking Bay's crew of 20 are expected to be released from onshore managed isolation as they recover in the next few days. The ship remains in quarantine at Queens Wharf in Wellington where a deep clean will be carried out.

All-clear so far in Taranaki wastewater

Daily sampling from the New Plymouth wastewater treatment plant, along with further samples from sites around the Taranaki region, will continue for the next week to determine whether there are any undetected cases in the area. There have been no subsequent detections to date, the ministry said.

The testing was started because of two positive samples detected in wastewater just over a week ago.

Community testing is also continuing. Up until yesterday 1082 swabs have been taken, with all returning negative results to date.

Anyone in Taranaki with symptoms is asked to get tested. Anyone who has arrived recently from Australia, who has symptoms, should also get tested, as well as people who have recently been in Australia who are now in Taranaki even if they don't have symptoms.

Additional testing sites remain open in New Plymouth to support potential demand.

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