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Returnees at an Auckland isolation hotel who shared a bus to an exercise area with a positive Covid-19 case had their stay extended.
The case, which tested positive on the 12th, was one of the guests at the Grand Mercure in central Auckland who were bussed across town to exercise at Mt Albert.
They traveled from the UK via Singapore before reaching the isolation hotel, the Health Ministry said in a statement to Things.
Genome sequencing is underway to determine links to other managed isolation and quarantine (MIQ) cases, the ministry said.
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The practice of busing returnees to downtown hotels for exercise was ridiculed two months ago by an epidemiologist as “one of the stupidest practices” in the MIQ system, but it has continued.
DAVID BLANCO / THINGS
Guests at at least two isolation hotels in central Auckland, The Rydges and Grand Mercure, were in the pens when Stuff visited them in January.
People who shared a bus to the exercise corrals Sunday afternoon with the case have been told to stay in their rooms, and those who were scheduled to leave Monday were unable to do so.
The person was also on a bus on Friday, the ministry said.
“The 23 people who shared a bus trip with this person were asked to stay for up to five days after their exposure, that is, five days after March 19 or 21. They will also be retested ”.
A letter from Mariam Parwaiz, a medical health officer for the Auckland District Board of Health, to one of the people who shared a bus with the case, said they had been categorized as a “casual plus” contact.
They were asked to stay at MIQ for an additional five days and would take a Covid-19 test on March 26, the letter said.
“His situation will be reconsidered on March 27,” Parwaiz wrote.
DAVID BLANCO / THINGS
Returnees can relax in the center of the pens or walk (not run) around their perimeter.
“You have the right to instruct and consult an attorney in accordance with the New Zealand Rights Act 1990.”
A man who was preparing to leave the Grand Mercure on Monday and who requested anonymity said officials have not yet told him how much longer he will have to stay.
A relative had taken a day off to pick it up and he and his partner were ready to start work, but now that was up in the air, he said.
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“All because of these stupid bus trips,” the man said.
The Health Ministry said in a statement that the Auckland Regional Public Health Service was investigating the source of the host’s infection.
DAVID BLANCO / THINGS
Guests from different isolation hotels are kept in separate pens but are in the field at the same time.
“The service is awaiting whole genome sequencing for any other possible link to other cases at MIQ.
“Returnees are routinely evaluated on day 12, as the infection may take longer to develop in some people.”
Bussing ‘stupid’
Daily bus convoys run from various hotels in central Auckland to a fenced sports field on the Unitec Mount Albert campus.
Soldiers and hotel security gather returnees in one of several pens, similar to those used in sheepdog trials, where they can walk in circles or sit in the middle of the field, relaxing or practicing yoga.
The field is double fenced and divided into four corrals with interior fencing.
University of Otago epidemiologist Nick Wilson said Things In January, authorities were failing to recognize how contagious the virus was and transporting residents for exercise was “one of MIQ’s stupidest practices.”
“Although wearing masks on buses will help, masks are not perfect,” Wilson said.
“The authorities are not recognizing how infectious this pandemic virus is, and with the new variants it is even more so.”
He said studies showed that Covid-19 spreads more easily in tight spaces, such as buses.
“This has to be one of the stupidest practices at MIQ along with shared smoking areas and Russian sailors with double bunks,” Wilson said.
An MIQ spokesperson said in a statement that there were no plans to stop bus transporting returnees to exercise areas.
“However, the Ministry of Health and Managed Isolation and Quarantine continues to periodically review our policies and procedures to ensure that they remain fit for purpose.
“MIQ is conducting an internal investigation to determine what happened in this case and what improvements can be made to strengthen our processes.”
“We understand that this disruption of the returnees’ plans will be distressing. However, the safety of all returnees, our staff and the wider community remains our top priority. “
