Mariners among new cases inmanaged isolation
There were four new cases of Covid-19 in managed isolation yesterday. One of the cases arrived via the United Arab Emirates from the United Kingdom, where a highly infectious strain of the virus has taken hold.
The person tested positive during routine testing around day 1. They have been transferred to the Auckland quarantine facility.
Three of the new cases are part of the group of international mariners who arrived from Singapore or the UAE on January 6 and were reported on Sunday. They are all in quarantine in Christchurch.
In total, 14 positive Covid-19 cases have been identified in the group: eight are deemed historical, three are new active cases and further testing of the three new cases reported yesterday may determine if they are also historical cases.
The Ministry of Health said one previously reported case was now regarded as not a case.
“This case previously tested positive in the United Kingdom prior to travelling to New Zealand and has therefore been determined as a historical case.
“This case is being removed from New Zealand’s tally while we confirm it has been reported in the United Kingdom.”
The total number of active cases in New Zealand is now 77. Our total number of confirmed cases is 1866. The total number of tests processed by laboratories to date is 1,441,163.
“The recent increase in Covid-19 cases at New Zealand’s borders is expected, given case numbers continue to increase globally,” the ministry said.
It was expecting to see more historical cases detected in managed isolation, due to an increasing number of people becoming infected and recovering before travelling to New Zealand.
While these individuals may still have residual viral particles in their nasopharynx, which are picked up by our tests, they are no longer considered infectious.
Anyone who has tested positive must meet the recovered case definition before being allowed to leave the facility as assessed by the medical team. This includes a period of at least 72 hours without any symptoms and aminimum of 10 days since symptom onset or a positive test.
The ministry said that it is continuing to monitor Covid-19 developments overseas, as well as “regularly reviewing” its infection prevention procedure.
“Since 1 January 2021 people arriving from the US and UK are tested on arrival and required to stay in their room until they return a negative test result.
“In addition, pre-departure testing will start to come into effect later this week (11.59pm NZT on January 15) with the aim of reducing the number of cases of Covid-19 arriving in New Zealand.”
The ministry reported on Sunday there had been 31 new cases in managed isolation since Thursday.
“The number of cases reinforces the need for ongoing vigilance at the border, as Covid-19 continues to accelerate overseas,” it said.
— NZ Herald