New Zealand will go into Alert Level 4 as of 11.59PM tonight for an initial period of three days except for Auckland and the Coromandel Peninsula which the Government anticipates will be at Alert Level 4 for an expected seven days, due to them being closely linked to the case
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Director General of Health Dr. Ashley Bloomfield have addressed media this evening after a positive case of COVID 19 in the community was identified early this afternoon and is now under investigation.
The suspected Delta Variant case was identified in Auckland. Prime Minister Ardern says New Zealand is one of the last countries in the world to have the Delta Variant in the community. She says, “we are in the position to learn from experience overseas and what actions work and what actions don’t work.
Delta has been called a game changer and it is, it means we need to again to go hard and early to stop the spread. We only get one chance,” says Prime Minister Ardern.
In a media release today the Ministry of Health confirmed MIQ in-facility transmission in late July. Deputy Director of Public Health Dr Harriette Carr said an ARPHS’ investigation found doors to rooms on opposite sides of the corridor were opened at the same time for about 3-5 seconds on four occasions between July 19 and 27, when a case in the room opposite would have been considered infectious, leading to new infections.
Cabinet met this afternoon and made the decision that NZ would move into Alert Level 4.
We will update you with more information as it comes to hand.
Image credit: Ministry of Health/NZ Government