WELLINGTON – New Zealand today confirmed a fresh outbreak of Covid-19 in the community, with a family of three testing positive, including a woman who works for a catering firm servicing international flights.
“They are new and active infections,” said Health Minister Chris Hipkins.
Authorities downplayed any link to in-flight meals because of an eight-day gap between the woman’s last day at work and when she tested positive.
“There are a number of gaps in our knowledge around these cases,” said Hipkins.
“One of the things I’m looking for is more information on the likely source… that’s still a piece of the puzzle that’s missing.
“We’ll also be looking at whether there is any evidence Covid-19 could be out there in the community and circulating among others.”
New Zealand detected several infections three weeks ago, ending a run of more than two months with no cases in the community.
Those cases were traced back to a hotel where the individuals had completed quarantine after returning from overseas.
The woman and her daughter tested positive yesterday, and the father returned a positive sample today.
Hipkins said there is no immediate need to introduce new restrictions while health officials investigate the source of the infection.
The daughter’s school will be closed for two days, with all staff and pupils to be tested.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern cancelled commitments in Auckland to return to the capital here, to be briefed on the outbreak.
She has been widely praised for her management of the pandemic, with the country recording just 25 deaths and fewer than 2,000 cases in a population of five million.
New Zealand closed its borders and implemented a strict five-week lockdown in March and April last year.
Most restrictions have since been lifted, with occasional outbreaks quickly contained.
Ardern has said borders are likely to remain closed for the rest of this year, while the pandemic continues to rage worldwide. – AFP, February 14, 2021
