Covid 19 coronavirus: health authorities investigate a possible case of Covid-19 in Canterbury

The Ministry of Health is investigating a possible case of Covid-19 in Canterbury.

The person is currently in controlled isolation, however, it is unclear whether he has come from abroad or has been in the community.

“There is a case currently under investigation in Canterbury,” the Ministry said in a statement.

“This case is managed in isolation.”

“At any time, it is standard to have cases under investigation and as such these are not included in any number update at this stage.”

Anyone feeling unwell should stay home and see their GP or call Healthline if they have symptoms similar to Covid-19, the ministry said.

Twelve people have died from the virus in Christchurch, 10 of whom were at Rosewood Rest Home, and the city recorded 164 total cases of Covid-19.

It comes when two virus-related deaths were reported in as many days, both in Auckland.

The first was a man in his 50s, the youngest to die in New Zealand, and the second was Dr. Joseph Williams, former Prime Minister of the Cook Islands.

Dr Williams, 85, was a highly respected general practitioner in Auckland and died less than 24 hours after his older brother died from the virus.

85-year-old nephew Dr. Kiki Maoate said the double tragedy has hit the family hard: “It is a blow to the family. They are recovering,” he said.

Dr. Williams is the 24th person in New Zealand to die from Covid-19.

It was revealed earlier today that there are three new cases of Covid-19 in New Zealand, two of which are in the community and the other in managed isolation.

Both community cases are epidemiologically linked to the wider Auckland group, the Health Ministry said in a statement.