Earlier this morning Auckland shifted to alert level 3 lockdown for seven days. The rest of New Zealand went into level 2 at the same time and for the same duration. These moves come after the NZ Ministry of Health announcement yesterday afternoon that a new COVID-19 case was detected in the community. A few hours later the mother of the latest case returned a positive COVID-19 test result. This brings to 21 the number of cases in the Papatoetoe cluster.
As a result of last night’s announcements Te Marae Ora is currently trying to contact all the passengers who arrived Friday afternoon. Further the following course of action is going to be taken and Te Marae Ora would appreciate passengers who arrived on the two flights this week to fully cooperate.
- The 135 passengers who arrived on Tuesday 23rd February all had a COVID-19 test yesterday. The results have all come back negative.
- The 15 individuals who are in self-isolation and asked to remain there until further advised by Te Marae Ora.
- Any passengers who have COVID-19 like symptoms or feel unwell are asked to call 54885.
- The 84 passengers who arrived on Friday afternoon’s (26 Feb.) flight will undertake a COVID-19 test today and are being asked to self-isolate – along with members of their household – until at least (at this stage) day 6 when a further test will be taken.
- Again, anyone off this flight with COVID-19 like symptoms or who feels unwell should call 54885.
- Anyone who arrived yesterday and who attended either of the family services held Friday evening at Kavera or Turangi are asked to contact 54885 as soon as possible.
The first of the two cases confirmed yesterday, known as Case M, is an older sibling of a Papatoetoe High School student who was a casual plus contact. The student had returned 3 recent negative tests and is asymptomatic.
NZ Public health officials are undertaking interviews to help establish how this new case was infected.
Testing of the household of five took place and thus far the only one to test positive is the mother.
Case M developed symptoms on Tuesday 23 February. As a result, the person is regarded as being potentially infectious from Sunday 21 February.
The person was tested yesterday (Friday 26 February NZT), and the result was received yesterday afternoon.
There are a number of locations of interest, which can be seen by clicking the link below.
The following locations were added yesterday – the dates are NZ time. If any recent arrivals believe they were at these places at these times, please call 54885.
- City Fitness (20 and 26 February)
- Manukau Institute of Technology (MIT) (22, 25, 26 February)
- Hunter Plaza (26 February)
- Burger King Highland Park (25 February)
- Your Health Pharmacy (23 February)
- Pak n Save Manukau (21 February)
There will be a further update once the results of tests taken yesterday are known.
ENDS: Enquiries to Jaewynn McKay +682 55486
Link to locations of interest for Auckland February cases: