There have been no new community cases today, following yesterday's revelation of a new case in Hamilton, with just two new cases in managed isolation reported this afternoon.
Photo: 123rf.com
In a statement, the Ministry of Health said one of the managed isolation guests who tested positive was transferred to hospital in Auckland due to a condition that was not Covid-19 related
The person, who arrived from Zambia via the United Arab Emirates on 2 February - returned a positive result while they were in hospital.
"Local health officials report Covid-19 infection and prevention protocols were in place and followed to ensure the safety of health care workers and the public. Health services are readily available for all managed isolation guests to ensure their health needs are met, and protocols are in place to manage the welfare and safety of staff and the public.
"The public can be assured hospitals are safe to visit."
The other managed isolation case is a person who arrived on 4 February from the United Arab Emirates.
The total number of active cases in New Zealand is 66 and the total number of confirmed cases is now 1964.
Hamilton case classified as historical
The Health Ministry also confirmed today that the Hamilton case reported yesterday was most likely historical.
Yesterday the ministry confirmed that a former Pullman Hotel guest who had been isolating at home in Hamilton for a week tested positive for Covid-19.
The person tested positive on their fifth day of self-isolation at home in Hamilton, after returning three negative tests during their 14 days' managed isolation at the Pullman Hotel. It is the fifth case to be linked to the hotel.
Results indicated the case was most likely historical and not infectious, the ministry said.
"The public health risk is still considered to be low."
It said the final 60 returnees at the Pullman Hotel have completed health checks and are being released today.
"The facility is not taking any new returnees and will undergo a deep clean as per infection prevention and control protocols."
The returnees will need to isolate at home for another five days and return a negative test on day five.
"These interim measures will be in place while a previously announced review is undertaken into how transmission occurred in the Pullman Managed Isolation Facility and the emerging evidence of Covid variant."
"We are continuously reviewing the managed isolation and quarantine system and our border settings.
- 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