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A student at Auckland’s Three Kings school tested positive for Covid-19 but did not attend school while infected, health authorities say.
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The community cases announced today are related to a person who had been in controlled isolation and tested negative twice before being allowed out. Source: 1 NEWS
The child is one of two community cases announced today. They are household contacts of a man who was confirmed yesterday to have the virus and who returned from India on August 27 and spent 14 days in a managed isolation facility in Christchurch.
He had returned two negative tests while in isolation and flew home to Auckland on September 11, however five days later he developed symptoms and tested positive for the virus.
The man and his household contacts, including the student, are now in the Jet Park quarantine facility.
In a statement released today, the Auckland Regional Public Health Service (ARPHS) has informed staff and parents that the risk to any other students or staff is very low and that the school remains open and safe to attend.
Chief Health Officer Dr. Ashley Bloomfield told 1 NEWS that only a handful of close contacts had been identified so far.
“The tests were done and the closest contacts were neighbors and they have already returned the negative tests.”
An ARPHS spokesperson says it is highly unlikely that there will be any exposure to the virus at school. Students and staff do not need to stay home or get tested, unless they have any symptoms.
Epidemiologist Michael Baker told 1 NEWS tonight that the incubation period of the virus can be more than 14 days.
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Alert level restrictions will be lowered next week, if NZ stays on top of community transmission of Covid-19. Source: 1 NEWS
“In biology, you can always have this thin tail and these outliers,” he said.
It comes as the Government is scheduled to review Covid-19 alert levels tomorrow, having previously indicated a likely move to Level 2 for Auckland and Level 1 for the rest of the country.
A decision on the changes will be made tomorrow at 1pm.