The Ministry of Health has confirmed that a positive Covid-19 case worked in the dementia ward of a retirement village, north of Auckland.
Amberlea Rest Home in Warkworth was listed as an exposure site on Friday after it was revealed by 1 NEWS on Thursday night that family members of residents were sent an update from the facility’s chief executive.
Public health officials understand the staff member worked two shifts while unknowingly infectious, the Ministry of Health said.
They are fully vaccinated and adhered to strict infection, prevention and control protocol, including wearing face coverings and other PPE.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern told reporters on Friday afternoon that a large portion of residents at the facility had received at least their first dose.
"My understanding is for this particular facility in question, at the time that we had vaccinations, the uptake rate of the first dose was 73 per cent," she said.
Director-General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield added that "even if we vaccinate all the residents at one point in time, others are being admitted to that facility".
He said the Auckland DHB had a team visit the facility three times in order to support the vaccination of staff and residents.
Ardern said the high-risk environment is "exactly the reason that we worked hard to prioritise that essential workforce".
A mobile testing unit will be operating at Amberlea today and all residents and staff are being asked to get tested.
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