Covid 19 coronavirus: Auckland Countdown closed for deep cleaning as officials investigate two cases

Countdown in Auckland’s Ōrewa was not visited by one of the possible new community cases, the supermarket chain confirmed.

A Countdown spokeswoman previously told the Herald that the store was closed for a deep cleaning and that staff were in isolation after one of the new potential cases from the Covid community was believed to have visited on Monday.

But around 9:15 p.m., Countdown said that health officials had informed it that the person had not visited the store after all.

“We were informed early tonight about a probable new community case of Covid-19 and that this person was likely to visit our store,” Countdown said in a statement.

“We took the precaution of closing our Ōrewa store early tonight while this was being confirmed and removing the team. We have just been informed that our supermarket was not visited, which is great news for our team and the community. I’d rather be safe than sorry, and it’s reassuring to know that our evolving Covid response works fast and puts safety first, “Countdown said.

The Health Ministry said tonight that two other people who completed the isolation managed at the Pullman Hotel at the same time as the Northland community case were now under investigation.

The couple was asymptomatic and had previously tested two negative tests, the ministry said.

They were both isolated at home.

As a precautionary measure, Public Health staff are verifying details with individuals about their movements since they left managed isolation to identify close and casual contacts if contact tracing is required.

“The two former returnees tested positive for Covid-19, however it has yet to be confirmed whether they are recent or historical infections. More urgent tests are underway tonight.”

A 56-year-old Northland woman tested positive for Covid-19 on Sunday. All of his close contacts have since tested negative.

He left MIQ on January 13, developed mild symptoms on January 15, and was tested on January 22. The woman visited 30 places of interest in South Northland, including outlets, restaurants, coffee shops and supermarkets.

Epidemiologist Michael Baker said the pair could be weak positive cases and most likely historical cases.

“Weak positive,” he said, usually means they were exposed to the virus, maybe months ago, and they got infected and outgrew it.

“They still have fragments of the RNA of the virus left in their respiratory systems and this is being detected.”

“It’s up to the people on the ground to handle this and they are treating them like they are potential cases. That’s the right thing to do. They will work on this and figure out if there is anything to worry about.”

Baker said it was not unusual for many people to be tested with a very sensitive test.
“A part of those people who have been previously infected and by chance, will obtain weak positive results.”

He said he understood the difficult position the Ministry of Health was in when choosing what to report to the public.

“I like that they make a mistake when reporting, instead of not reporting when they see things, but this must be quite a difficult decision for them, obviously it is going to cause a lot of concern to people.”

He had spent two weeks at MIQ at the Pullman Hotel in Auckland. He left MIQ on January 13, developed mild symptoms on January 15, and was tested a week later, on January 22.

The woman visited 30 places of interest in South Northland, including outlets, restaurants, coffee shops and supermarkets.

Earlier today, Chief Health Officer Dr. Ashley Bloomfield said there were “encouraging signs” in Northland, but the situation was still unfolding.

“We are not exhaling yet.”

Close contacts of the Northland woman will remain in isolation for the full 14 days even though the test came back negative.

The 353 guests of the Pullman Hotel, along with the woman, are being contacted and examined; so far all staff and guests have tested negative.

There are also four new cases in the currently managed isolation facilities. The total number of active cases is 68, including that of the community.