Auckland to Move to Alert Level 3, Rest of Country Level 2 For Three Days

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and the Director-General of Health, Dr Ashley Bloomfield have addressed media this evening with the latest details on today’s three positive community cases.

Dr. Bloomfield says the community cases involve a mother, father, and daughter from one household in South Auckland.  There is one other household member who has symptoms but has tested negative. This person will remain under investigation as a close contact.

The three members of the family group who are positive cases have now been transferred to the Auckland quarantine facility.  The fourth household member, who has tested negative, will remain at home under strict isolation and public health supervision.

Genomic sequencing is underway for the first two cases, with results due late Sunday evening and further details expected Monday.

Cabinet has met this evening to make decisions regarding the current cases.

As a precautionary move, from 11.59 pm Sunday 14 February, Auckland will move to Level 3 initially for a period of 3 days, until midnight Wednesday 17 February. The rest of New Zealand will move to Level 2 for the same period.

Anyone who has cold or flu symptoms should get a test and stay home until you have a negative test result. Find your local testing facility on the Healthpoint website.

Image: Ministry of Heath Manatū Hauora/Youtube