Ministry reports 9000 self isolations for virus

Almost 9000 people or households have self-isolated in New Zealand since the coronavirus outbreak began.

But there have been no more confirmed or probable cases of the virus in the last few days, the Ministry of Health announced yesterday.

New Zealand has so far had five confirmed cases and two probable cases. One patient was in Auckland Hospital, while four others did not require hospital care.

Healthline has registered 8963 people or households for selfisolation since the process began, the ministry said. There were currently 2334 registrations for self-isolation, while 5929 have completed isolation.

A woman, suspected of being a probable case after travelling on the cruise Grand Princess, had been discharged from Auckland’s North Shore Hospital and was now under the care of her doctor.

The Ministry of Health said ‘‘North Shore Hospital and Auckland Regional Public Health Service are also in daily contact with the patient and the Northern Region Health Co-ordination Centre is liaising with her family to check on any wellbeing needs.’’

North Shore Hospital staff who were stood down and initially asked to self-isolate would return to work today. Other staff would progressively return and if all staff were well, they would all return on March 16.

‘‘The test result from the one remaining passenger being tested for possible Covid-19 exposure while also previously on the Grand Princess has come back negative. This passenger remains in self-isolation as a precaution.’’

Four New Zealanders were currently on the Grand Princess and one New Zealander had been quarantined on the MS Asara cruise ship in Egypt. The Ministry of Health was not aware of any health concerns around these people.

The Ministry of Health’s director-general of health, Dr Ashley Bloomfield, said ‘‘protecting the health of New Zealanders is our number one priority’’.

‘‘It’s good the key public health measures of strict border controls, self-isolation for people who have come from overseas hot-spots or been in contact with local cases have had the desired impact so far.

‘‘Now is the time to be even more vigilant. Everyone can help by ensuring good health etiquette – washing hands for twenty seconds, sneezing into your arm and not touching your face. Fundamental to this is not putting yourself or others at risk if you are unwell – not going to work or being out in public if you are sick.’’