A person who tested positive for Covid-19 after being admitted to an Auckland hospital has died.
North Shore Hospital. Photo: rafaelbenari/123RF
In a statement today, the Ministry of Health said the death at North Shore Hospital has not been included in the official Covid-related deaths "at this stage".
The Ministry said the patient was transferred from a managed isolation facility into hospital-level care for the treatment of a serious non-Covid related condition earlier this month, and then returned a positive result.
The Ministry said the patient spoke with family daily, either by zoom or phone.
"On behalf of New Zealanders, I want to recognise this family's loss," said Director-General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield.
"This is a time for us all to offer our deep sympathy, while also respecting the family's privacy."
There were also two new cases of the coronavirus in managed isolation reported today. They both arrived from India via the United Arab Emirates on 9 February.
One previously reported case has now recovered and the total number of active cases in New Zealand is now 45. The total number of confirmed cases is 1972.
There were two new cases of Covid-19 reported in managed isolation in New Zealand yesterday. Meanwhile, across the Tasman, nne new locally acquired case of coronavirus has been recorded on the first day of Victoria's five-day lockdown to halt the spread of the highly infectious UK variant.
- If you have symptoms of the coronavirus, call the NZ Covid-19 Healthline on 0800 358 5453 (+64 9 358 5453 for international SIMs) or call your GP - don't show up at a medical centre
Read more about the Covid-19 coronavirus:
- See all RNZ Covid-19 news
- Covid-19 symptoms: What they are and how they make you feel
- How to wear a mask
- Touching your Face: Why do we do it and how to stop
- Scientific hand-washing advice to avoid infection
- A timeline: How the coronavirus started, spread and stalled life in New Zealand
- Coronavirus: A glossary of terms
- RNZ/ ABC