Covid-19 coronavirus: Northland case tally at 18, PM denounces Clark

Director General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield. Photo / File

Northland's positive Covid-19 case tally has increased to 18 as Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern continues to denounce the actions of Health Minister David Clark.

The region's latest case is a woman in her 40s with no link to overseas travel. She was one of 32 new confirmed positive cases announced by Director General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield at Parliament today.

Northland positive case summary:

Case 1 (RECOVERED): Male, 20s. Departed Paris on flight EY38 to Abu Dhabi on March 14, then to Sydney on flight EY450 and then to Auckland on VA0141, arriving on March 16.
Case 2 (RECOVERED): Female, 40s. Departed Melbourne on flight JQ217 to Auckland on March 15.
Case 3: Female, 50s. Departed UK on flight EK38 to Dubai on March 19. Departed Dubai on flight EK448 for Auckland on March 21 (Previously in hospital, now discharged).
Case 4 (RECOVERED): Male, 60s. Departed Los Angeles on flight NZ1 on March 23 and arrived in Auckland on March 24.
Case 5 (RECOVERED): Female, 20s. Departed Dubai on flight EK448 on March 19.
Case 6 (RECOVERED): Female, 20s. Departed Dubai on flight EK448 and arrived in New Zealand on March 24.
Case 7: Female, 60s (probable). Travelled from the United States out of LAX on March 18 and arrived in New Zealand on March 19.
Case 8: Female, 40s.
Case 9: Female, 20s. Departed Canada on flight GB615 on March 23 and arrived in New Zealand on the same date.
Case 10: Male, 50s. Departed United States and arrived in New Zealand on March 22.
Case 11: Female, 30s. No international travel.
Case 12: Female, 40s. No international travel.
Case 13: Male, 50s.
Case 14: Male, 60s.
Case 15: Male, 10-14. No international travel
Case 16: Male, 30s. No international travel.
Case 17: Female, 60s. No international travel.
Case 18: Female, 40s. No international travel.

NeedToKnow3

In addition to the 22 new probable cases, Bloomfield said there were 54 new cases as at 9am today, with a total of 1160 nationwide. Twelve people were in hospital with four in intensive care.

Of the cases, 42 per cent linked to overseas travel, 41 per cent were contacts of known cases and two per cent were community transmission. The remaining cases were currently being investigated and 241 cases had recovered.

Concerning case ethnicity, 73.3 per cent were European, 8.5 per cent were Asian, 7.8 per cent were Māori and 3.4 were Pacific peoples.

Yesterday, 2908 tests were conducted with a total of 42,826 having been done nationwide.

Director General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield. Photo / File

Bloomfield said the World Health Organisation had updated its advice on face masks and had confirmed it would not recommend wearing medical masks in the public unless someone was in regular contact with a sick person.

UNWELL2

Bloomfield also confirmed there had been 291 breaches of the health act (which outlined what was allowed during lockdown), 16 people had been prosecuted and 263 warnings had been issued.

Ardern, who released statements earlier today regarding Health Minister David Clark, doubled down in her condemnation of his actions.

This morning, Clark admitted to a 40km round trip to the beach with his family during the first week of the lockdown – something that was specifically advised against by the Ministry he leads.

This comes after he was forced to admit a 2.3km drive to a mountain bike trail last week.

Ardern confirmed Clark had offered her his resignation and said in normal circumstances, she would, "sack the Minister of Health".

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern. Photo / File

However, Ardern said New Zealand couldn't afford disruption to its health sector and would be keeping Clark on for that reason alone. Clark had been stripped of his Associate Finance minister role and was demoted to the bottom of the cabinet ranking.

"He broke the rules, and he needs to pay a price."

Ardern would not be drawn on whether she would fire Clark once the Covid-19 pandemic ended.

Asked repeatedly this morning if he would resign as Health Minister after Covid-19, Clark wouldn't say.

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

Instead, he told Newstalk ZB that it was up to the Prime Minister whether or not he carries on in the role.

Regarding the wage subsidy, Ardern was pleased to announce it had paid out about $6.6 billion through helping over one million New Zealand workers.