Health officials are investigating a new community case of Covid 19 in Auckland.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Director-General of Health Ashley Bloomfield are scheduled to brief media after a Cabinet meeting on the Covid-19 community case. The briefing is expected to take place about 6pm. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
In a statement released this afternoon, the Ministry of Health said further updates would be provided once additional information came to hand.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Minister for Covid-19 Response Chris Hipkins have been briefed by health officials and have travelled to Wellington for a further Cabinet meeting at 4.30pm.
Ardern and Director-General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield are expected to brief media on the government's response to the development at approximately 6pm.
The link between the case and the border or managed isolation is yet to be established.
The Auckland Regional Public Health unit is now undertaking interviews with the case for contact tracing purposes.
The statement urged Aucklanders to exercise social distancing and caution.
"While we collect more specific information all New Zealanders are reminded of the basic public health measures of mask wearing and hand washing," it said.
"In particular anyone in Auckland catching public transport this afternoon or who cannot socially distance in public spaces should wear a mask as a precaution."
A positive case of COVID-19 has been identified in the community early this afternoon and is now under investigation.
— Unite against COVID-19 (@covid19nz) August 17, 2021
We will provide further updates once additional information comes to hand. pic.twitter.com/wZJma8XfWH
Ministers will meet this afternoon once additional information is gathered to confirm a response. A media update will be provided after that.
"A hard and early response is the best tool to stamp out any potential spread and everyone in New Zealand is asked to stay calm, be kind and play their part while we gather more information on the potential case," the Ministry said.
No cases in managed isolation
There are no new cases to report from managed isolation at the border.
One previously reported case has recovered since yesterday's update. The number of active cases in New Zealand is 43.
Since 1 January 2021, there have been 121 historical cases, out of a total of 752 cases. The seven-day rolling average of new cases detected at the border is three.
