In NZ after child fell ill

isolation at a dedicated facility. Questions about whether he is a citizen were referred to the Department of Internal Affairs, which refused to comment, citing privacy. A spokeswoman for Internal Affairs Minister Jan Tinetti also declined to comment, saying it was an ‘‘operational issue for the department’’.

sought comment from Tindall on Page because the pair are known to each other. Asked if he knew about the visit to Auckland, Tindall said: ‘‘I was aware.’’

He confirmed Page had visited because his child needed treatment at Starship children’s hospital.

The Immigration NZ website says people requesting travel to New Zealand for medical treatment must obtain approval from the Ministry of Health or a district health board. A Ministry of Health spokesman said it would not comment about individual patients, citing privacy.

He said anyone accepted for treatment from a medevac flight by definition required immediate treatment, and therefore would not undergo managed isolation.

In the year ended on June 30, 99 patients had been accepted for medical treatment via medevac flights. Most were people living in Pacific islands, he said. A small proportion were New Zealanders returning for treatment.

A clinical assessment is carried out on arrival. ‘‘Patients, and a family member accompanying a child, are kept in isolation in hospital on arrival,’’ the statement said. ‘‘On discharge, the patient would compete the balance of the required 14 days’ isolation in managed isolation or leave the country.

‘‘At times, permission is granted to a support person, as the person may require assistance once discharged from hospital.

‘‘This support person is transferred on arrival to managed isolation for 14 days.’’

The cost of treatment must be covered by individuals not eligible for public services, the statement said.

deaths in New Zealand total new cases yesterday (4 in MIQ and 0 in the community)

global cases of coronavirus