Watch Live: Officials give update on Covid-19 community cases
There are two new cases of COVID-19 in the community to confirm.
This is additional to the five cases reported previously. This brings the total of community cases at this stage to seven, all which are being included in the national tally today. All cases are being transferred safely to an Auckland isolation facility, under strict infection prevention and control procedures, including the use of full PPE.
In addition, there are three new cases in returnees in managed isolation.
The two new community cases, a 21-year-old male and a 19-year-old female, both returned a positive test today (18 August). Both are located in Auckland.
These two cases are linked to the earlier reported community cases. Public health officials are conducting interviews to establish more details of how these new cases were infected and to determine further details of their movements.
Case A is now in a quarantine facility in Auckland. A subsequent test of case A has again returned a positive test result.
The wife of Case A, reported yesterday, and who is fully vaccinated, has again returned a negative test result.
Of the community cases reported to date, four were tested after becoming ill and seeking healthcare and three after being identified as contacts.
Movements of the additional cases reported earlier today continue to be investigated. Investigations also continue at Auckland City Hospital, where one of the cases worked for four shifts during their infectious period.
The hospital last night activated plans to prevent the spread of the virus within the hospital. The DHB has stopped unnecessary movements between wards and is testing all staff and patients on the ward the staff member worked on. The DHB is also standing down, testing and isolating staff on the same ward.
The Ministry understands news this morning that one of the cases worked at Auckland City Hospital may create concern, they said in a statement. "However, anyone who needs urgent medical care will be safe as safe in our hospitals now as they would be at any other time, including Auckland City Hospital."
While elective surgery and non-essential outpatient hospital appointments are currently postponed at hospitals around the country, anyone who needs urgent medical attention – such as a medical emergency or going into labour – should follow the normal procedures.
