A puzzling new outbreak of the coronavirus in New Zealand’s largest city grew to 17 cases on Thursday, with officials saying the number is likely to increase further.
And a lockdown in Auckland designed for the absence of the outbreak could well be extended beyond a first three days.
It was a turnaround on Sunday, when the South Pacific nation of 5 million marked 100 days without cases of local transmission. For most people, life was long back to normal when they sat in packed sports stadiums and restaurants or went to school without the fear of becoming infected.
Medical personnel prepare for a COVID-19 test on a mobile test site in Christchurch, New Zealand on Thursday. (AP)
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The only cases months ago were a handful of returning travelers who were quarantined at the border. But then earlier this week, health workers discovered four infections in one Auckland household.
The source of the new infections remains blunt officials. Director General of Health Ashley Bloomfield said genome testing the new cluster did not yet match infections caught at the border, although tests indicated that the strain of the virus came from Australia or Britain.
Auckland was moved to Alert Level 3 on Wednesday, meaning nonessential workers are required to stay home and bars, restaurants and most businesses are closed. The rest of the country has moved to level 2, which requires social distance.
The government will take a decision on Friday to extend Auckland’s closure, which is increasingly likely given the new cases.
Health authorities in New Zealand are shaking to find the source of a new outbreak of the coronavirus as the nation’s largest city, Auckland, goes back into lockdown. (AP)
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The good news for health officials over the last 13 cases is that they could all be linked to the first four cases through work and family, which means there is still no evidence of a broader outbreak in the community. . Officials said they were testing just 6,000 people on Wednesday.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said the outbreak was a reminder of the virus’ plight and how easily it could spread.
“Like with our first outbreak, we have an expectation that things will get worse before they get better,” Ardern said. “Models suggest we will see even more positive cases. At this stage, however, it is wonderful to see them in one cluster.”
Bloomfield said he expected sooner or later the new cases would be linked to someone who had arrived in the country with an infection such as a worker at a quarantine facility, airport or port.
“At the moment, we have not established a direct connection,” Bloomfield said. “But because we find each case and do that in-depth interview and research, that will help.”
Cars are parked outside a COVID-19 test center in Auckland, New Zealand on Thursday. (AP)
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Some of those infected worked at a cool Auckland food establishment, leading to speculation the virus could have survived from abroad on cool or frozen food.
Bloomfield said they were testing the facility, but he thought the scenario was unlikely and that the virus was likely to have spread from person to person. Ardern pointed out that the cool environment could have helped the spread of the virus if one person had it.
The outbreak has caused hours-long delays on virus testing in New Zealand and some panicked purchases at supermarkets of essential items such as toilet paper and flowers.
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New Zealand first eliminated the community’s transmission of the virus by putting an end to it in late March, when at least 100 people had tested positive for the disease.
Ardern’s leadership was widely praised, and opinion polls indicate that support for her Liberal Labor Party has increased ahead of next month’s general election. But the resurgence of the virus has stopped the campaign and raised questions about whether the elections will go ahead as planned. Under New Zealand law, Ardern could delay questioning by up to two months.
