Coronavirus:
Ministry of
Health confirms 78 new
cases in New Zealand
26
March, 2020
The
Ministry of Health has announced 78 new cases of COVID-19 in New
Zealand.
During
a press conference on Thursday, Director-General of Health Dr Ashley
Bloomfield confirmed the 78 new cases included five probable cases,
bringing New Zealand's total to 283.
Seven
people have been hospitalised in a stable condition. Three patients
are in Wellington Regional Hospital, two are in Nelson Hospital and
one each in Waikato and Northland hospitals. No patients are in the
ICU.
The
majority of the 78 new cases still have a link to overseas travel,
including being in the same household as someone who has returned
from overseas; attending a known event; being linked to a cluster of
cases or are close contacts of a confirmed case.
The
Ministry of Health are currently investigating several possible
clusters:
- Marist College in Auckland
- the World Hereford cattle conference in Queenstown
- a wedding in Wellington
- a trip by a Wellington group of friends to the US
- a contact with the Ruby Princess in Hawke's Bay
- a rest home in Hamilton.
On
Wednesday, 2417 tests were processed around the country. To date,
12,683 tests have been processed nationwide.
"These
are unprecedented times... we expect the number of COVID-19 cases in
New Zealand to continue to increase over the coming days. I urge all
New Zealanders to continue to do your bit," Dr Bloomfield said.
"We're all in this together."
"We're
seeing the majority of New Zealanders doing a great job at
compliance... stay home, stay safe. Respect others. If we don't
comply, the consequence of that is that people will die. Our job is
to ensure that we keep those people safe and well," Commissioner
of Police Mike Bush announced during the update.
"We're
approaching this by being very visible in the community... next,
we'll engage with people to ensure they know what's required of them.
We will take a discretionary approach in the first instance. People
will be warned and challenged about whether what they're doing is
essential or if they are an essential service.
"Serious
breaches and prolific breaches will be prosecuted. We are stopping
people as they go to work and on the streets, just to engage, in a
professional, calm and friendly manner. We have had to provide some
education [to New Zealanders]."
Bush
confirmed that legislation, including the Health Act and the Civil
Defence Emergency Management Act, allows police to stop, detain and
enter premises. If people obstruct or don't comply with protocols,
they can be arrested.
The
Police Commissioner also reiterated that New Zealanders who have
returned to the country will be subject to spot checks by police
within three days of their self-isolation to ensure their compliance.
On Thursday morning, 360 people arrived at Auckland Airport from
several flights.
Dr
Bloomfield confirmed the Ministry of Health has identified close
contacts at a number of public events, including a recent Wellington
wedding, and has taken appropriate action. Information regarding
exact locations and times people may have been at risk regarding the
Ruby Princess' Hawke's Bay visit will be released soon.
Amid
the lockdown, it's imperative people understood that not all cases of
COVID-19 are severe - some cases may not even know they are ill.
That's why all New Zealanders must act as though they have COVID-19
when it comes to their day-to-day endeavours.
New
Zealand in level four lockdown
In
an effort to limit New Zealander's exposure to the respiratory
disease, the country went into lockdown on Wednesday night. People
cannot leave their houses unless it is absolutely essential. All
non-essential businesses have been closed, domestic travel has been
limited and schools have been shut.
Police
have increased their presence in the community during the lockdown
period and on Thursday morning, Police Commissioner Mike Bush told
The AM Show that officers found people still driving overnight,
claiming to have no knowledge of the new rules announced on Monday.
He said offenders will be arrested and detained if they repeatedly
break lockdown protocols.
Prior
to Thursday's new numbers, New Zealand case total stood at 205,
including 16 probable cases. Twenty-two people have recovered from
the illness. The cases are spread nationwide, although the majority
are in Auckland.
Up
until Monday, New Zealand had no confirmed cases of community
transmission, with all patients having links to known cases. They may
have directly travelled overseas, had family who had been overseas,
be linked to a cluster or have contracted the illness within the
family. However, there are now at least four cases of community
transmission in the country.
Four
staff members at a Hamilton rest home have tested positive for
coronavirus.
The
staff at Atawhai Assisi Home on Matangi Rd were part of a group of 27
staff members who were stood down due to contact with a resident who
tested positively for the virus on Sunday, March 22.
Tamahere
Eventide chief executive Louis Fick told Stuff staff members who
received positive tests for the virus had informed him recently.
The
73 confirmed and five new probable cases brings the nation’s total
Covid-19 cases to 283.
On
Thursday, Director-General of Health Ashley Bloomfield said a
Hamilton rest home was the site of a cluster of cases the Ministry of
Health had identified.
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