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Sixth coronavirus case confirmed in New Zealand

March 14, 2020

The man in his sixties had been to church the day before he started feeling ill.

The Ministry of Health has confirmed a sixth person in New Zealand has contracted coronavirus.

The country had not confirmed any new cases of Covid-19 in six consecutive days before the announcement, Waitemata DHB's Dr Dale Bramley told media at Auckland Hospital today.

Dr Bramley says health officials received confirmation last night at Auckland City Hospital. 

The man in his 60s has recently returned from the United States. He arrived back to New Zealand on Friday, March 6, from the United States.

Friends he had visited in the USA had alerted him to their possible link to the virus, so the man took action and informed his GP.

Dr Dale Bramley of Waitemata DHB made the announcement today.

His partner, who also travelled with him to the United States, is not unwell but is at home in isolation.

The man attended a church service not long before he became unwell at St Mary's church in Papakura. Everyone who attended the 8.30am service on Sunday 8 March is being contacted. 

Most are being advised that there is no need to go into isolation. 

The man had been home more than three days before he became unwell and the Ministry of Health says no one else on the flight is considered to be a close contact.

He is now recovering at home and the Dr Bramley says he is doing well. He will recover at home in self-isolation and will be monitored daily by health services.

His family will be offered testing and contact tracing is now underway in Auckland.

The United States last week blocked all travel with Europe to try and combat the virus.

Yesterday Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern confirmed more border measures are coming to New Zealand, but wouldn't say what was being considered.

She said there's still some more work that needs to be done before anything is finalised or announced.

Travel restrictions for New Zealand are already in place for travellers from Italy, Iran, South Korea and China, the key virus hotspots at this time.

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