Alert level decision looms as Covid ‘cluster’ emerges

A new coronavirus ‘‘cluster’’ has emerged, just as the Government prepares to decide on whether the country moves down alert levels.

Two new community cases of coronavirus were confirmed yesterday, both household contacts of a recent returnee who was also confirmed to have Covid-19 on Saturday.

Epidemiologist Michael Baker said the three new cases over the weekend could be considered a new ‘‘cluster’’ because they arose from a ‘‘distinct introduction’’.

The first case was a male who returned to New Zealand from India on August 27 and had completed managed isolation, returning two negative tests. He later tested positive for Covid-19 after returning to Auckland.

Ministry of Health officials said this man either had a rare, extremely long incubation period after catching Covid on the flight from India, or caught it on his flight from Christchurch to Auckland.

Cabinet is due to confirm today if Auckland could move to alert level 2, and the rest of the country to alert level 1.

Baker said it was ‘‘good news’’ the new cases were not linked to the existing Auckland cluster, because that indicated that cluster was under control.

How much of an effect the new cases have on Auckland’s move out of alert level 2.5 depended on the ‘‘fine-grained information’’ the ministry has about the returnee’s movements before he tested positive, Baker said.

‘‘A lot comes down to their contact patterns during that period.’’

Yesterday, the ministry said that all identified close contacts had been isolated and tested.

Baker said that was more ‘‘good news’’ that could mean the new cluster only has a ‘‘modest effect’’ on the decision about the city’s alert levels.

Auckland has been at level 2.5 for three weeks, while the rest of country has been at level 2 since a second outbreak of Covid-19 was discovered.

The region, from Wellsford in the north to Pukekohe in the south, has had strict restrictions on social gatherings of 10 people, and up to 50 people for funerals and tangi. Face coverings in public transports have also been mandatory.

The rest of New Zealand enjoyed a bit more freedom, including social gatherings of up to 100 people.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern earlier said the aim was to move ‘‘speedily down’’ alert levels.

A review on gatherings and requirements of face masks would also be discussed by Cabinet today.

If restrictions do change, it will come into effect at 11.59pm on Wednesday in Auckland and at

11.59pm today for the rest of the country.

New Zealand experienced its second outbreak on August 11 after members of a south Auckland family tested positive for the virus.

Auckland moved to alert level

3 immediately after the discovery, and then to level 2.5, 21⁄2 weeks later. On September 14, Auckland restrictions were extended for one more week, until September 21.