Covid 19 coronavirus: new case linked to Defense cluster, CBD to reopen, masking order pending

New Zealand will remain at alert level 1 and the Auckland CBD will reopen after the source of the latest community case of Covid-19 is identified.

The latest case, an AUT student in her 20s, had been genomically linked to the Defense worker who was infected in a quarantine hotel, Covid Response Minister Chris Hipkins said.

There were no new cases connected today, he said.

However, the government is calling on New Zealanders to continue to exercise caution to reduce the risk of spreading the virus.

“Events can happen, but we ask people to exercise caution,” Hipkins said.

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On Monday, Hipkins will bring an order to Cabinet seeking to make wearing the mask mandatory on Auckland’s public transport, including all flights in and out of the city.

If the Cabinet agrees to the mask’s mandate, a schedule will be announced Monday, but it will likely be required by the end of next week.

But now New Zealanders are being asked to heed that advice.

Hipkins said recent events highlighted “how important” New Zealand’s constant vigilance is.

Hipkins said they were not yet in a position to rule out other cases related to the Defense Forces group. The Government was asking all employers to allow their sick workers to stay at home.

It was especially in the interests of business that the CBD remained open.

The full list of places of interest

Health officials are asking anyone who has visited these places on these dates to get tested, regardless of symptoms.

• Mezze Bar on November 5
• Liquor.Com Bottle Store, Queen Street on November 5
• Red Pig Restaurant on November 7
• Smith and Caughey’s Queen Street on November 7
• Sunny Town China Taste Restaurant on November 8 and 9
• Starbucks Queen Street on November 8 and 9
• The Gateau House on November 8
• AZ Collection on November 8, 9 and 11
• The Vincent, November 7-12
• Auckland City Doctors on November 10
• AUT Student Hub on November 10

Hipkins said one of the differences between this latest case and the church-linked group from Auckland in August was that there was much more information and genomic testing had provided a higher level of comfort.

The use of masks in public transport is for Auckland at the moment, but other areas would also be considered over the next week, Hipkins said.

Student now fourth member of the Defense Force group

Public health director Caroline McElnay said the genome sequencing of the woman’s case was identical to that of the Defense Forces group and that the investigation is now focusing on the link between the woman and the other confirmed cases.

Meanwhile, there are four other new cases of Covid-19 today, all in managed isolation. One of them was a newcomer and the other three cases are historical cases.

Four additional test stations have been established. Test sites report constant volumes.

Stay home if you feel bad

McElnay said anyone in the Auckland area or throughout New Zealand who has cold or flu symptoms should stay home and get tested and then remain in isolation until they get a negative result.

If you were in Auckland CBD in places of interest, you should take the test regardless of whether you have symptoms.

Hipkins said the four cases related to the group “feel the weight of the whole country on their shoulders” and did not deserve to be abused.

He said “being in the eye of the storm” could affect his ability to remember his movements.

The latest case from the community, a woman in her 20s, was reported yesterday, prompting an investigation into how she might have been infected with the virus.

She felt ill on Monday, had a test on Tuesday, but went to work and donned a mask at AZ Collections on High St after a conversation with her manager.

Auckland CBD workers were encouraged today to work from home and those living in the area have been advised to limit their movement and contact with others.

In addition, New Zealanders are asked to:

• Wear face covers on public transportation, airplanes, and in places where physical distancing is not possible.

• Use the Covid Tracer app wherever you go.

• Stay home if you are sick, isolate yourself, and get tested.

• Wash your hands and cover your mouth if you sneeze or cough.

It was also revealed today that the woman, who is an AUT student, did not attend classes, but was instead at the City Campus Student Center, a student information center, from 2.30 pm to 2.40 pm on Tuesday.

He also visited several places:

These include:

• Smith and Caughey’s on Queen St on Saturday, November 7 (from 3.50 pm to 6 pm).

• Red Pig Restaurant, Kitchener St on Saturday, November 7 (6:00 PM to 8:30 PM).

• Takeaway from Starbucks Queen St and Sunnytown Restaurant on Sunday, November 8 (11.30-11.45).

• Takeaway from The Gateau House on Queen St on Sunday, November 8 (6.40 pm-6.50 pm)

• Takeaway from Starbucks Queen St and Sunnytown Restaurant, Lorne St, on Monday, November 9 (11.31am-11.40am).

Anyone who has dined at the Red Pig is asked to isolate themselves and get tested. People who were in the same place in the other places should be on high alert for symptoms.