There have been no new cases of Covid-19 reported in New Zealand's managed isolation and quarantine facilities today.
(File image). Photo: AFP
The number of confirmed cases stands at 1219.
There was no conference from officials for the update today. In a statement, the Ministry of Health said there were still 23 active cases in this country and none of them are receiving hospital care.
"It has been 98 days since the last case of Covid-19 was acquired locally from an unknown source."
The Ministry said New Zealand's laboratories processed 4014 tests yesterday, with 282 swabs taken in managed isolation and quarantine facilities.
"This is another strong result around our testing numbers - thank you to everyone who has come forward to be tested. Please continue to seek advice on getting a test if you have cold or flu-like symptoms."
Pop-up testing
The ministry said Taranaki District Health Board was holding a pop-up in central New Plymouth today from 1-3pm at the New World carpark.
Mid Central are running two testing stations in Palmerston North today - one in the carpark of New World Pioneer and the other at an event at the Pasifika Community Centre at Bill Brown Park.
The metro Auckland DHBs will also be providing free Covid-19 swabbing at a pop-up surveillance testing site in Manurewa tomorrow. The drive-thru/walk-thru testing centre will be set up at the Southmall car park, entrance via WeymouthRoad, Manurewa, starting at 9am until 4pm.
There will also be a pop-up testing clinic for Canterbury people without symptoms who wish to be tested tomorrow. It will be open from 10am to 4pm at 170 Orchard Road, near Christchurch Airport.
Mask advice
The Ministry has also recommended New Zealand's households add masks to their emergency kits.
Director-General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield announced the updated ministry advice yesterday, saying use of masks would be advised if alert level 2 came into play again.
The ministry now recommends households have sufficient masks for every member of the household should the need arise.
Dr Bloomfield and the Ministry's Chief Science Advisor Dr Ian Town also spoke at a Facebook session and said it was not necessary for the public to wear masks at alert level 1 because there was no evidence of community transmission in this country.
"Masks will be most useful when Covid-19 is present in our community and people are in situations where they are in close proximity to each other."
The Ministry said reusable fabric masks or single use disposable masks were suitable for most people, but those at higher risk of severe illness from Covid-19 were recommended to wear a medical-grade mask to help prevent infection.
"We know that from time to time, there may be temporary stock issues but that doesn't mean cause for alarm. Remember there is no evidence of community transmission in New Zealand, so there's time to shop sensibly and just purchase what you need or place an order if necessary.
"We will provide further advice on where medical-grade masks can be sourced. "
The CovidCard system being trialled in Rotorua could possibly be better used than the NZ Covid Tracer app, because it does not require people to download or do anything for data to be registered, an academic told Morning Report.
The minister of health and Director-General of Health have been appealing to the public not to be complacent about using the app as regular use of it has been slow to catch on, with Dr Bloomfield warning community transmission is inevitable.
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- 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