Covid 19 coronavirus: Hawke's Bay virus-free streak of nine days ends as new case confirmed

Hawke's Bay has recorded its first new case in nine days as the country sees another death. Photo / Ian Cooper

Hawke's Bay has recorded its first new Covid-19 case in nine days, a man in his 40s.

Medical Officer of Health Dr Nick Jones said the newly confirmed case was a household member of a previously confirmed case in Hastings, linked to a known cluster, and had been in isolation within their home bubble.

"This person and their family have done all of the right things, remaining isolated since the diagnosis of the initial case, and therefore there is no risk to the wider public," he said.

"Because there is no risk to the public and to protect the privacy of the patient, no further information will be provided."

The region's total now sits at 42, with 26 people having recovered and a total of 16 active cases.

One new death announced today, a woman in her 80s from the Rosewood Rest Home cluster in Christchurch, took the national toll to 14.

Director-general of health Ashley Bloomfield said every person New Zealand loses to Covid-19 is a tragedy.

The total number of cases is now 1451. So far, 1036 have recovered. There are 11 people in hospital.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said three of the six new cases today were connected to overseas travellers.

Those returning to New Zealand will continue having to be quarantined when they return.
At present 2403 people who have returned home are in quarantine - in hotels.

Jones said the new Bay case highlighted again the need for the community to continue following the Government's level 4 restrictions, and follow the level 3 restrictions closely once they come into force next week.

"By ensuring that we have stayed within our 'bubbles' and practising good hygiene, our community has been able to keep numbers to a minimum. We need to keep that up."

He continued to encourage people with any cold or flu-like symptoms at all to call their GP or the free Healthline (0800 358 5453) to be assessed for testing.

Symptoms of Covid-19 include cold or flu-like illness with one or more of the following: cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, a runny nose or loss of smell.

• Covid19.govt.nz: The Government's official Covid-19 advisory website

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