Two new imported Covid-19 cases recorded in New Zealand today

October 22, 2020

Dr Bloomfield says the first person arrived from the Netherlands, the second from Doha.

There are two new imported Covid-19 cases in managed isolation in New Zealand today, the Ministry of Health has confirmed.

Today's update was provided in a live briefing by Director-General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield this afternoon.

The first case arrived in the country on October 19 from the Netherlands via Dubai. The second case arrived on October 21 from Dohai.

Both cases were tested upon arrival after developing symptoms during their flights, Dr Bloomfield said. 

The pair are now in an Auckland quarantine facility, having been transported there from their flights.

The Ministry of Health yesterday announced 25 new confirmed cases of coronavirus - the largest spike in daily Covid-19 cases in six months.

Of that number, 23 were found at the border - 18 of those Russian and Ukrainian fishermen in quarantine at the Sudima Hotel in Christchurch. All of the fishermen remain in managed isolation.

All 235 fishermen who arrived in the country from Russia and Ukraine last Friday are being retested as part of day six testing, an additional test.

Genome sequencing for the positive tests are expected to be back late on Saturday, Dr Bloomfield said.

The two community cases yesterday were linked to a port worker who had tested positive for the virus over the weekend.

Yesterday the Auckland Regional Public Health Service confirmed a person who later tested positive for Covid-19 visited The Malt pub in Greenhithe, Auckland, on Friday, October 16.

Anyone, and their household contacts, who were at the pub have been again advised to be tested, Dr Bloomfield said. 

The pub says the Ministry of Health has asked it to close for 14 days, planning to reopen on November 5.

Yesterday, labs processed 7083 tests, with the number of completed tests now totalling 1,047,994.

The number of active Covid-19 cases in New Zealand now stands at 58. The total number of confirmed cases is now 1558.

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