Covid 19 coronavirus – customers of Malt bar, Greenhithe, Auckland told to get tested after confirmed case

Customers of an Auckland pub have been asked to isolate themselves and swab themselves for Covid-19 after being exposed to someone infected with the virus.

A person who visited The Malt pub in Greenhithe on Friday, October 16, between 7:30 pm and 10 pm, later tested positive for the virus, says the Auckland Regional Public Health Service (ARPHS).

The infected pattern is one of two community cases announced today by the Ministry of Health, among 25 new cases in New Zealand.

“The person who went to The Malt and then fell ill with Covid-19 is one of the cases announced today by the Ministry of Health,” ARPHS said in a statement.

The Ministry of Health contacted some people considered close contacts of the person. Staff will also be asked to take the test.

Tomorrow a pop-up Covid testing site will open in Greenhithe for people seeking urgent testing. The location and hours will be available on the ARPHS website when confirmed.

Meanwhile, urgent care clinics offering Covid swabs have been open tonight, but some had to wait up to three hours to get tested at Northcare Medical Center at Smales Farm, Takapuna.

A witness says medical staff advised those wishing to get tested to return home to the Greenhithe pop-up station or Northcote Media Center on Thursday.

ARPHS has yet to share the location of the Greenhithe pop-up site that will open tomorrow.

“Most of the people in the bar at this time are considered casual contacts, but they are being asked to get tested as soon as possible. They should stay home in isolation until they receive a negative result,” ARPHS said.

“However, if people in the pub that night get sick, even after a negative test result, they should isolate themselves again and get tested again.”

Chief Health Officer Dr Ashley Bloomfield today announced 25 new cases of Covid-19 in New Zealand, 18 of which were imported cases detected in controlled isolation.

Two new community cases were announced today, linked to the dock worker who tested positive over the weekend.

Previously, one of the community cases was seen as a casual contact of the dockworker and worked in the same small business.

Bloomfield said they spent a few minutes in the same room on Friday morning. They had been tested on Sunday and tested negative, but had symptoms yesterday and then tested positive.

The second workplace case tested positive this morning, said Bloomfield, who previously tested negative but was retested after symptoms appeared yesterday.

Customers and bar staff were told to watch out for Covid-19 symptoms, such as a new or worsening cough, sore throat, runny nose, loss of sense or smell, or fever.

Household members of patrons at the pub that night only need to be tested and stay home if the person in the pub becomes ill or develops any symptoms, or unless directed by Public Health, ARPHS said.

Users who scanned the Covid-19 Tracer app at The Malt last Friday should be notified if they were in the bar at the same time as the positive case.

The Malt has been closed until further notice, owner Kevin McVicar shared online.

McVicar was looking for a Covid-19 swab Wednesday night.

Customers responded on Facebook in surprise.

“Some of us have elderly / engaged people on Hithe so I hope this is not a stupid joke,” wrote one person.

The 18 imported cases announced today follow the 11 cases revealed yesterday among Russian and Ukrainian fishing crews, part of the 237 crews that flew in from Moscow and landed in Christchurch last week.

All were tested using nasal swabs before departure, and Bloomfield said two people did not fly because they tested positive.

He said he would be surprised if there were no more cases among the crews, but they were contained in the Sudima Hotel.

“At least one person” must have been infectious on the flight, Bloomfield said, and others could have been infected on the flight soon after.

Today, another five imported cases of Covid-19 were announced, in managed isolation and unrelated to the newly arrived fishing crew.

Three unrelated imported cases flew from London and tested positive in routine tests on day three and two cases, flying from Jordan and Malaysia, were in controlled isolation in Auckland; they both tested positive on day three.
They will both be transferred to the Jet Park quarantine facility.

Infectious disease expert Professor Michael Baker urged the public to remain vigilant for symptoms of the virus and seek a test if necessary.

“It is very important that anyone who believes that they have been in close contact, or even casual contact, with any case call Healthline and get some advice and also be very cautious about the symptoms they develop,” ZB told Newstalk.

Urgent care clinics

• North Shorecare Smales Farm Smales Farm 74 Taharoto Road, Takapuna, open 24 hours

• Shorecare Northcross 948 East Coast Road, Northcross Monday through Sunday from 8 am to 8 pm. M. At 8 p. M.

• East Care 260 Botany Road, Golflands open 24 hours

• Takanini Urgent Care 106 Great South Road, Takanini Monday through Sunday from 8 am to 8 pm. M. At 8 p. M.

• Counties Urgent Care (Papakura) 6-18 O’Shannessey Street, Papakura Monday through Sunday from 8 am to 10 pm

• Franklin Urgent Care 149 Manukau Road, Pukekohe Monday through Sunday from 8 am to 8 pm. M. At 8 p. M.

For more information or advice on Covid-19, call Healthline on 0800 358 5453 or visit the Auckland Regional Public Health Service website.