Thread by @covid19nz

There are 21 new cases of COVID-19 in the community to confirm today, taking our total number of confirmed cases associated with the current Auckland community outbreak to 72.

All cases have or are being transferred safely to a managed isolation facility, under strict infection prevention and control procedures, including the use of full PPE.

Of the 21 new cases, 20 are in Auckland and one is in Wellington – this case was previously reported publicly yesterday but has officially been added to the total case numbers today.

Wellington’s number of community cases remains at six.

Of the 72 cases, 61 cases are now confirmed as part of the Auckland cluster, with the remaining 11 under investigation to confirm linkage to the outbreak. Initial assessment shows in most cases there is a link.

There are three new cases in recent returnees in a managed isolation facility.

One previously reported case has now recovered. The total number of active cases being managed in New Zealand is currently 116.

⏺ Testing

Yesterday, 38,389 tests were processed across New Zealand.

There are 15 community testing centres available for testing across Auckland this afternoon, including a new site at Pukekohe opening at 2pm.

Those who have been to a location of interest or have symptoms should call Healthline for advice on testing, and referral to a testing centre to make a booking. Everyone who needs a test will get tested, but bookings are strongly advised to avoid long wait times.

For up-to-date information on all testing locations, please visit healthpoint.co.nz/covid-19/.

It is so important that anyone awaiting a test result or who is a close contact should be self-isolating and not leaving the house for any reason, until they receive a negative test result or until they’re cleared by public health staff.

This also extends to other trips out. Please don’t go the pharmacy, supermarket or make any other stops in public while waiting for your test result. If you find yourself in this situation, arrange for someone in your bubble or another friend or relative to pick up supplies.

⏺ Contact tracing

As of 9am today, 8,667 individual contacts have been identified – and this number will increase throughout the day, as records are fully processed.

The majority of these contacts are close contacts.

Of these contacts, 4,124 have been contacted and are self-isolating, and a third have had a test.

Work is underway to contact the remaining 4500 contacts.

⏺ Locations of interest

From today, locations of interest will be updated automatically on a 2-hourly basis here: health.govt.nz/our-work/disea…

Any significant or urgent locations of interest will be published as required.

As the list continues to grow, we have launched a new online search feature to make it easier for people to check the locations of interest.

⏺ Face coverings

Face coverings are an important part of our defence against COVID-19.

We encourage you to wear a face covering (especially if it is difficult to maintain physical distance from others) and keep two metres distance from others when leaving your home .

You legally must wear a face covering:

- on public transport and flights
- if you are a customer or an employee involving customer contact at an Alert Level 4 business or service, such as a pharmacy, supermarket or petrol station.