New Zealand

Covid-19 update: Three new cases in managed isolation

13:12 pm on 20 November 2020

There are three new cases of Covid-19 in New Zealand today, all in managed isolation.

Photo: AFP

There was no 1pm media conference but in a statement today the Ministry of Health said there are 40 active cases of the coronavirus in the country.

There are no new community cases.

The three returnees include one person who arrived from Romania via Qatar and Brisbane on 3 November and is a contact of three previously confirmed cases; one who arrived from Dubai on 15 November; and one who arrived from Qatar via Brisbane on 17 November.

The total number of confirmed cases of Covid-19 in New Zealand is now 1657.

There were 9292 Covid-19 tests processed yesterday and the ministry said this was a good number of daily tests.

"It reflects the commitment of New Zealanders to getting tested, and also the hard work of those involved in taking and processing the tests.

"We continue to encourage anyone who visited a location of interest during the relevant time period for the November cluster to get tested - to ensure we can quickly identify anyone who may have been infected."

The ministry said it would keep two pop-up testing facilities in central and east Auckland going. Both locations are walk-in and do not require a pre-booked appointment.

"We have the best chance of staying ahead of Covid-19 if everyone who becomes unwell with cold or flu-like symptoms stays at home and seeks a test quickly, and all New Zealanders are keeping track of where they've been and who they've seen."

Yesterday there were two new cases of Covid-19 in New Zealand, both in managed isolation.

The government has paid out more than $100 million to support businesses to pay staff who have been directed to self-isolate and cannot work from home.