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'Covid is here': 10 new cases in Nelson, two clusters emerging

Author
Devon Bugler, NZ Herald,
Publish Date
Thu, 2 Dec 2021, 3:02PM
Maitai River in Nelson (Kiwiwise)
Maitai River in Nelson (Kiwiwise)

'Covid is here': 10 new cases in Nelson, two clusters emerging

Author
Devon Bugler, NZ Herald,
Publish Date
Thu, 2 Dec 2021, 3:02PM

There are 10 new cases of Covid-19 in Nelson with two clusters. 

The new cases were reported by the Ministry of Health today, bringing the total number of active cases to 14. 

A spokesperson said the cases are made up of two clusters with 11 in one and three in the other. 

"A possible connection between the two clusters is being investigated." 

Chief medical officer Dr Nick Baker said exactly how the two clusters are linked is yet to be determined. 

"The next three or four days will help to know how far it has spread. 

"Covid is here, we can expect case numbers to increase. This is something we've been planning for, its now time to activate our plans," he said. 

Baker said no cases have yet to require hospital-level care. 

"I don't think we should be too despondent, it's not uncommon to get these sorts of numbers. 

"It does indicate spread before people knew they had covid but now people will know and have a test earlier." 

Wastewater in the region is being tested but the frequency is unknown, Baker said. 

"We had no warning from these tests." 

It comes after it was revealed two staff members had tested positive for the virus at two schools in Nelson. 

Enner Glynn School and Broadgreen Intermediate have temporarily closed while a risk assessment is undertaken. 

Baker said they are still working through who is a close contact and who is a distant contact at the schools. 

Four new locations of interest in Nelson were added to the ministry's website yesterday afternoon. 

"People in the Nelson-Tasman region are asked to check this page as it is updated regularly." 

The Nelson-Marlborough DHB will front a press conference at about 2pm today to discuss the cases. 

Director general of health Dr Ashley Bloomfield said this morning, they were isolated cases seeded into Nelson which made it possible to get around them with contact tracing and isolation. 

He said Nelson also had a high vaccination rate of 85 per cent. 

Testing is available in Nelson-Tasman today at: 

  • Saxton Field parking area, Suffolk Rd, Stoke from 9am to 8pm
    • Trafalgar Centre carpark, ParuParu Rd, Nelson from 9am to 2pm 
    • Richmond Showgrounds, 359 Lower Queen St, Richmond from 9am to 8pm 
    • Motueka Recreation Centre: Old Wharf Rd, Motueka from 9am to 5pm 

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