There are two new cases of Covid-19 and one historical case in managed isolation (MIQ) today and none in the community.
Photo: NOBEASTSOFIERCE/Science Photo Library via AFP
In a statement, the Ministry of Health gave an update on the medevac flight for the patient from Fiji who has tested positive for Covid-19.
It said the patient was last night safely transported by ambulance to Middlemore Hospital, under strict infection prevention and control procedures.
"Flight crew and ambulance staff used full PPE, as is regularly used to transport people arriving from overseas to hospital.
"The patient remains in a dedicated, secure ICU unit. There are appropriate isolation and infection prevention and control plans in place at all the metro-DHB hospitals, including Middlemore Hospital, where this patient is being managed."
Requests for medical treatment in New Zealand from overseas jurisdictions, particularly in the Pacific, are common, the ministry said.
"Every request is considered, carefully taking into account factors such as the clinical needs of the patient, whether safe transport can be arranged and the availability of appropriate care in New Zealand."
Taranaki update
The ministry said daily sampling from the New Plymouth wastewater treatment plant, along with further samples from sites around the Taranaki region is continuing this week.
"There have been no subsequent detections of the virus to date. Community testing is also continuing."
Meanwhile, the first day of Auckland's mass vaccination event is under way in Manukau, where 16,000 people are due to receive a Covid-19 shot over the next three days.
Acting Covid-19 Response Minister Ayesha Verrall said the Auckland event will be studied and developed for similar events around the country.
Update on ships
The Mattina remains in quarantine in Bluff and is inaccessible by the public, the ministry said.
Two of the Covid-19 positive mariners remain in Southland Hospital and are in a stable condition, after a second transfer yesterday, it said.
On the Viking Bay, 16 of the 20 crew members are now back aboard - it remains in quarantine at Queens Wharf in Wellington.
Four of the crew members remain in managed isolation in Wellington, the ministry said.
"Deep cleaning of the vessel is being undertaken in coming days and the vessel is expected to depart next week."
The numbers today
Photo: Ministry of Health
The ministry said since 1 January 2021, there have been 108 historical cases, out of a total of 697 cases.
Four previously reported cases have now recovered, bringing the number of active cases in New Zealand to 45. The total number of confirmed cases is 2514.
The seven-day rolling average of new cases detected at the border is two.
Yesterday there were 7189 Covid-19 tests processed across New Zealand and the total number of tests processed to date is 2,473,000.
The seven-day rolling average is 6664.
Update on Covid-19 Tracer app
The Covid-19 Tracer app now has 2,907,828 registered users.
The latest update of the app features reminders, diary icons and the ability to save and use previous scans.
The enhancements, available from today, include:
- The ability to use a previous scan and save locations you go to frequently to manually backfill your diary.
- Reminder notifications where individuals have not scanned or added a location to their diary recently.
- An indicator on the scan screen making it easier to see when Bluetooth tracing is inactive.
- Illustrated guides that make it easier to understand how the app and features work.