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A hotel in Christchurch was closed after being alerted to a “significant number” of potential Covid-19 cases, following the arrival of more than 200 fishermen from Russia and Ukraine.
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Eleven people tested positive for the virus at the Sudima Hotel and another 14 cases are under investigation. Source: 1 NEWS
Hotel Sudima is being used as a managed isolation and quarantine facility, housing newcomers from abroad while they undergo a 14-day isolation period.
The Health Ministry confirmed that there have been 11 positive Covid-19 test results, and 14 other cases are also being investigated.
“As more analysis is done, these numbers may change. For example, some cases could be classified as historical,” a spokesperson told 1 NEWS.
“All relevant public health measures are being taken. At the facility, strict infection prevention and control processes are followed to minimize risk to the public and staff.”
Sudima COO Les Morgan told 1 NEWS that they were alerted this afternoon.
“This afternoon MBIE contacted the hotel to alert us to a significant number of potential Covid virus cases at the hotel,” he says.
The hotel, which is located near the Christchurch airport, has been closed.
The Health Ministry spokesperson says the group are the only people staying at the facility and that the cases were detected in regular Covid-19 tests on day three.
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There are currently 11 people with Covid-19 at the Sudima Hotel near Christchurch Airport, and more is being investigated. Source: 1 NEWS
“This is an example of how our border controls work as they should.”
About 240 fishermen are isolated at the hotel after arriving on Friday. They were brought in by Independent Fisheries, Sealord, and Maruha Nichiro to work on the companies’ fishing boats.
Sealord CEO Doug Paulin says they were granted border waivers as critical workers.
“Experienced and qualified fishing crews are in short supply in New Zealand. Despite rising unemployment, Kiwis continue to be reluctant to take on high seas roles,” he says.
“Sealord has extensive recruitment processes and plans to push them forward with the Government.”
The work involves a six-month stay to fish for deep-sea species such as horse mackerel, squid, barracuda and southern blue whiting.
“Sealord pays the same amount per person as any non-New Zealander in managed isolation, at the Christchurch and Auckland facilities.”
Paulin told 1 NEWS that he has faith in the management of the Ministry of Health.
“I think this is further proof that the approach the government has taken to border protection is fantastic,” he says.
“And if you look at the rest of the world, I think we can safely say, given the history and even what happened here, that the approach that New Zealand has taken is the best of its kind.”
He says that 110 of Sealord’s crew are at the Sudima Hotel and the rest will be from the other fishing companies.
For Sudima, Morgan says that the staff will be concerned but that they are “relaxed at any risk to the staff.”
“They take all possible precautions and there is no contact between the staff and those in quarantine.”
Air Commodore Darryn Webb, Director of Managed Isolation and Quarantine (MIQ), says today’s cases are an example of the system “working as it should.”
It describes the hotel’s closure as a “precaution”, with people restricted to their rooms as they prepare to quarantine positive cases.
Unlike Auckland, the Sudima is a managed isolation and quarantine facility, with positive cases continuing at the hotel.
Webb says additional security and nursing staff will be brought in, as well as a “special testing station for staff.”
“The workforce at this facility is dedicated to this site and does not work elsewhere.”
More details will be released tomorrow, says the Health Ministry.
Earlier today, the Ministry of Health confirmed another new case of Covid-19, a newcomer overseas staying in a managed isolation facility in Auckland.
