COMMUNITY TRANSMISSION: NZ has another 14 cases of coronavirus

Coronavirus: Director-

General of Health announces 

14 new Covid-19 cases in NZ

https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/412278/coronavirus-director-general-of-health-announces-14-new-covid-19-cases-in-nz

Director-General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield says there are 14 new cases of Covid-19 in New Zealand, and the ministry cannot rule out community transmission.

Watch the media conference with Dr Ashley Bloomfield:

The new cases bring the total to 53 confirmed, and four probable.

The locations of the new cases are; four in Wellington, one in Taranaki, three in Auckland, one in Waikato, one in Taupō, one in Manawatu and two in Nelson.

Three of NZ's confirmed cases are in hospital and all are a stable condition.

One man in his 60s is in Lakes District Hospital in Queenstown, a woman is in hospital in Nelson and another person is in North Shore Hospital.

"Most of these cases are travel-related but as yet, in two instances, no link to overseas travel has been ascertained and we continue to investigate," Bloomfield said.

"We always knew that cases apparently not linked to travel would happen and we are prepared for that."

Of the new cases in the past 24 hours, Bloomfield said the two cases not linked to travel are one in Auckland and one in Wairarapa.

The person in the Wairarapa is symptomatic, which is why the clinician decided to test, Bloomfield says.

They are now investigating whether these people have had close contact with anyone who has travelled overseas, he said.

"In the case of the Wairarapa [person], we can't rule out the risk of community transmission."

Physical distancing is fundamental to our collective response, he said.

He reminded people that gatherings larger than 100 people indoors and 500 people outdoors should not be taking place.

Bloomfield said testing had ramped up as practitioners have identified people who needed testing. Yesterday, 1500 people were tested.

It is now more important than ever that we continue to track and trace individuals who may have been in contact with confirmed Covid-19 cases and get those people in self-isolation so that we can contain any further spread."

The address to the nation was a huge disappointment. Instead  of taking the draconian action necessary to prevent spread (a TOTAL shutdown for a limited period of time) she has offered a piecemeal "steady-as-she-goes" reaction which is a recipe for absolute disaster which is a GUARANTEE that we will follow Italy, Europe, UK and now the USA on the road to oblivion.

Believe me. It is inevitable.

Live Coronavirus: Prime 

Minister Jacinda Ardern 

gives address to nation on 

the Covid-19 response

https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/412280/live-coronavirus-prime-minister-jacinda-ardern-gives-address-to-nation-on-the-covid-19-response

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has announced a four-level Covid-19 alert system and asked people to stop non-essential travel.

Watch RNZ's Checkpoint special following the Prime Minister's address to the nation:

Ardern said New Zealand was at Alert Level 2 meaning the risk of community transmission was growing.

Over-70s and people with compromised immune systems to stay at home as much as possible, she said.

She asked New Zealanders to stop non-essential domestic travel.

Schools will stay open unless there is a confirmed case. This will change as the alert system moves up the chain, Ardern said.

"In February it would have seemed unimaginable to close New Zealand's borders to the world and now it has been an ovbious step as we fight Covid-19" - Ardern.