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The Health Ministry says that a likely case of Covid-19 in the community is a reminder of how complicated the virus is, as it publishes a list of 29 places the woman visited.
Photo: AFP
The latest probable case is that of a 56-year-old woman who was released from isolation at the Pullman Hotel in Auckland after testing negative twice during her stay.
After coming out of isolation on January 13, she returned home to Northland, where she lives with her husband. The couple then traveled through Northland, visiting Dargaville, Mangawhai, Whangārei, and Helensville in Auckland.
It is understood that she has four close contacts, including her husband and the people she came into contact with within a retail setting.
The businesses and places he visited were published on the website of the Ministry of Health (MINSA).
This is the list of the 29 places the woman visited between January 14 and 22
Photo: SCREENSHOT
He visited 30 locations in Northland, including Ruakaka, Whangārei, Mangawhai Heads, Maungaturoto and Parua Bay, and Helensville in Auckland between January 14-22.
These include Noel Leeming, Bendon and The Warehouse in Whangārei, Eutopia Cafe in Kaiwaka, The Kauri Museum in Matakohe, and Parua Bay Tavern.
The full list can be found here.
University of Auckland associate professor Siouxsie Wiles said it is “almost certain” that the woman was contagious while in the community.
“The contact tracing team will work hard to identify anyone who has likely been exposed and is at risk of contracting the virus. I am sure they will launch their network and treat this as the most infectious variants of the virus.” Wiles said in a statement.
“What we have to remember is that we should do everything possible to facilitate the work of the contact tracing team. We can do that if we make a habit of using the Covid Tracer app and having Bluetooth turned on.
“Can you remember all the places you’ve been in the last ten days and when? I know I can’t, so I trained myself to use the app wherever I go.”
This is a council of the Ministry of Health.
- The Ministry of Health investigates a positive case of Covid-19 in Northland
- There are approximately 30 places where the case has been
- These locations of interest will be listed on the covid19.govt website
- The list will continue to be updated as details are confirmed, so please check the website regularly
- People who have been to these locations at potential exposure times should call Healthline about the right time to get tested for Covid-19 and where
- Notifications are also sent through the Covid Tracer app.
- This is a reminder to everyone of how complicated the virus is. Everyone should remember to wash their hands, scan, turn on Bluetooth, and stay home if they are unwell.
Likely community case ‘should get us out of our Christmas presumption’
Health Director General Dr. Ashley Bloomfield said the woman felt very mild symptoms on January 15, but did not associate them with Covid. As her symptoms got worse, she got tested at a community testing center.
She was scrupulous in using the Covid Tracer app, Bloomfield said.
The Director General of Health, Dr. Ashley Bloomfield, and the Minister of Covid-19 Response, Chris Hipkins.
Photo: RNZ / Dom Thomas
In a statement released by the Science Media Center, the scientists said this latest case should remind New Zealanders why it is so important to use the Covid Tracer app wherever they go.
Dr Andrew Chen, researcher, Koi Tū – Center for Informed Futures, University of Auckland, said the woman did the right thing by using the QR code and having Bluetooth tracking turned on.
“This means that the Ministry of Health can identify locations of interest quickly and potentially alert other people who have been exposed as well quickly. But for all of us to benefit from the use of this technology, we need as many people to participate as possible. “Chen said. .
“A person with Covid-19 may not show any symptoms for a few days, but they could be contagious in that time. We have a case that may have been in the community for 10 days. You can’t just wait for the outbreak and then start. To scan QR codes, it is necessary to scan them as a preventive measure before cases are detected in the community. “
Photo: Supplied / University of Victoria
Victoria University of Wellington and Umbrella Health clinical psychologist Dr. Dougal Sutherland said today’s announcement “should serve as a slap with a wet fish for New Zealanders.”
“Our Covid app scan rates have plummeted in recent weeks as we enjoy the complacency that ‘we’re fine here.’ This positive test should serve to pull us out of our Christmas presumption and remind us that Covid is still rampant and even more virulent than before. “
Auckland University professor Shaun Hendy said that while the case was concerning, it was not the same situation Auckland faced in August, when community cases could not be linked to the border.
“With what we know at this point, that the person has only had four close contacts, it is unlikely that we will need another lockdown.
“But we all have to do our bit to avoid this: keep scanning and do a test, but then stay home if you have any of the symptoms or think you might have had contact with this case.”
Hendy said northerners should pay attention to any potential symptoms and, if they are not feeling well, they should seek a test and avoid going to work; This applies to anyone in New Zealand, but is particularly important when a case has been presented in the community.
The origin of the woman’s case is unknown, while officials await the results of the tests.
Shaun hendy
Photo: Supplied
Hendy said it would be important to determine whether the woman acquired the case in managed isolation, as it could mean that other returnees may have been exposed. 600 people who were at the Pullman Hotel at the same time as the woman were asked to stay home and get tested for Covid-19.
All personnel working at the Pullman Hotel will also be re-screened.
“It is also possible that the person had a very long incubation period – this is rare, but not unheard of,” Hendy said.
The woman spent several months traveling Europe and working in Spain before flying from London to Auckland, arriving on December 30.
“Genomics will also be very useful, potentially linking the case to other returnees within MIQ or to cases abroad,” Hendy said.
“It will also tell us if we are considering one of the new strains. These are becoming more prevalent abroad, so this is certainly a possibility.”
