Locals in the King Country coastal town of Kāwhia are on edge after a case of Covid-19 was confirmed there on Wednesday.
The town - south of Raglan on the North Island's West Coast - is outside the Waikato alert level 3 boundary.
Public health expert Professor Michael Baker says it's concerning the virus has slipped past the border and says he expects the level 3 boundary to be extended.
Waipa Mayor Jim Mylchreest says it's a worry.
