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'Level 1 plus': Two new cases today, both in managed isolatio

Author
Amelia Wade, NZ Herald,
Publish Date
Thu, 22 Oct 2020, 1:01PM
Staff at the Wainoni Park testing station in Greenhithe today. (Photo / Sylvie Whinray)
Staff at the Wainoni Park testing station in Greenhithe today. (Photo / Sylvie Whinray)

'Level 1 plus': Two new cases today, both in managed isolatio

Author
Amelia Wade, NZ Herald,
Publish Date
Thu, 22 Oct 2020, 1:01PM

There are two new cases of Covid-19 today - both are in managed isolation and aren't connected to the fishing crew.

Director general of health Ashley Bloomfield is giving an update about the latest community cases of Covid-19

There are 58 active cases bringing our total number of cases to 1558.

The number of cases of Russian and Ukranian fishermen with Covid-19 at Sudima Christchurch Airport Hotel remains at 18 and all of the crew are being tested again today.

Patrons who visited a North Shore pub are being urged to isolate and get tested. A man who later tested positive for the virus visited The Malt in Greenhithe on Friday night between 7.30pm and 10pm before he became sick.

He and a fellow port worker were infected by a 27-year-old marine engineer who is thought to have contracted the disease on a visiting ship, the Sofrana Surville.

Bloomfield repeated the call for patrons at The Malt and their household contacts to self-isolate and get a test then remain in isolation until they get their result.

The Ministry has put a process in place to report results back more quickly so people aren't waiting for their results over the long weekend.

There are two new pop-up tests on the North Shore - including one in Wainoni Park in Greenhithe. There are six community testing centres which will remain open over the weekend. People can also get tests at urgent care clinics.

People should call Healthline to find the closest testing site to them.

School contact

It also emerged today a student from New Zealand's biggest school is in isolation after a person in their household tested positive for Covid-19.

The Auckland Regional Public Health Service has written to parents of Rangitoto College students.

"This student is not considered a close contact, however, as they have had minimal exposure to the person while this person was infectious. The student is well and has had a negative test result. They have only been at school for a very short time since their household member became sick."

A cafe next-door to The Malt, Baked, has gone back into level 3 protocol with staff wearing masks. A table at the front door, where people can place orders, bars people from entering and coming into contact with staff.

Director general of health Ashley Bloomfield. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Director general of health Ashley Bloomfield. (Photo / Mark Mitchell)

Schools in the area have also sent out messages to parents on social media. Hobsonville Point Primary School asked parents to get in touch if they had been to the pub.

Pub visit

The pub-goer was likely infected on Friday when he shared a room with the colleague, then went to The Malt that evening.

He was tested on Sunday morning and returned a negative test but developed symptoms on Tuesday and then tested positive.

Microbiologist Siouxsie Wiles has expressed concern over how the infected port worker passed the virus to the colleagues in just three minutes of contact.

Everyone who was at the pub at that time is being urged to isolate and get a test as soon as possible.

Patrons and staff of the bar should also remain vigilant for symptoms of Covid-19, such as a new or worsening cough, sore throat, runny nose, loss of sense or smell, or fever.

There was a rush on testing sites last night with some people experiencing a three hour wait at the Shorecare medical centre.

"Most people in the pub at this time are considered casual contacts, but are being asked to get tested as soon as possible. They should stay at home in self-isolation until they receive a negative test result," the Auckland Regional Public Health Service said.

"If people at the pub that night get sick however, even after a negative test result, they should self-isolate again, and get tested again."

Household members of pub patrons from that night need only get tested and stay home if the person who was at the pub becomes sick or develops any symptoms, or unless directed by Public Health, ARPHS said.

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