A recent returnee who returned a weak positive result for Covid-19 after completing their two-week isolation has been confirmed to be a historical case.
(File image). Photo: 123RF
The Ministry of Health earlier today said the person's case was under investigation, but serology tests run today have shown the presence of antibodies that further confirm this is a historical infection.
A PCR test conducted today had also returned a negative result.
The person arrived from the US and went through 14 days in an Auckland managed isolation facility - where they returned two negative tests and were asymptomatic - before leaving on 21 September.
This week, the person sought medical care after feeling unwell and a subsquent test for Covid-19 returned a weak positive result.
An acute non-Covid-19 respiratory illness can sometimes create a situation where residual Covid-19 virus particles are detected when a sample is taken.
However, the ministry says there is no risk to the public and international research shows people with a historical Covid-19 infection are not infectious.
As a result, the ministry says no further management of close or casual contacts is required.