Covid 19 coronavirus: Officials investigating whether MIQ positive case contracted virus from another guest

Authorities are investigating whether a returnee in controlled isolation who tested positive for Covid-19 at the Grand Mercure hotel in Auckland contracted the virus from another MIQ guest.

And 23 other returnees who shared a bus with the positive case to an Auckland exercise area have now extended their MIQ stays by five days as a precaution.

A spokesman for the Health Ministry said the person who tested positive traveled from the UK via Singapore and tested positive on the 12th.

They had twice traveled by bus to an exercise area on Mt Albert, once on March 19 and once on March 21.

“The 23 people who shared a bus trip with this person were asked to stay for up to five days after their exposure. They will also be retested.”

The guests have been confined to their rooms.

A letter from Mariam Parwaiz, medical health officer for the Auckland District Board of Health, to one of the affected guests, said they had to stay at MIQ for another five days and that it was considered a “casual plus” contact, he reported. Stuff.

A Covid-19 swab would be taken on March 26.

“His situation will be reconsidered on March 27,” the letter said.

“You have the right to instruct and consult an attorney in accordance with the New Zealand Rights Act 1990.”

Meanwhile, the Auckland Regional Public Health Service is investigating whether the positive case was infected by another MIQ host.

The spokesperson said the “standard” source investigation was conducted for all cases at MIQ.

“The service is awaiting whole genome sequencing for any other possible links to other cases at MIQ.

“Returnees are routinely evaluated on day 12, as the infection may take longer to develop in some people.”

An MIQ spokesperson said the Grand Mercure was one of the Auckland facilities where returnees were taken by bus to a secure exercise area because there was no adequate exercise area at the hotel.

“Being able to exercise supports the health and well-being of returnees while in controlled isolation.”

Although busing MIQ returnees to exercise areas outside their hotels has been criticized in recent weeks as risky, there were no plans to change the practice, the spokesman said.

“However, the Ministry of Health and Managed Isolation and Quarantine continues to periodically review our policies and procedures to ensure 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 harrowing. However, the safety of all returnees, our staff and the community at large remains our top priority.”

More than 124,000 returnees have gone through the MIQ system to date.