Air New Zealand air crew member tests positive for Covid-19

The person arrived in New Zealand on 9 December, on a flight from the United States of America.

An Air New Zealand crew member has tested positive for Covid-19.

The crew member is the only new positive case in the country today. They arrived in New Zealand on December 9, on a flight from the US.

The person tested positive as part of compulsory testing required within 48 hours of operating to the US.

The risk to the general public is considered low, the Ministry of Health said in a statement.

The Covid-19 positive crew member has been self-isolating in their room in a facility used by Air New Zealand for air crew and is being transferred to the Auckland quarantine facility.

This person is currently asymptomatic, the ministry said. They previously tested negative on December 3.

"Our latest test results indicate that this is a very new infection," a ministry statement said.

"We will continue to investigate this case and any further information will be provided in our regular media release tomorrow at 1pm."

All other air crew on the flight have returned negative results and will remain in isolation.

As a precautionary measure, all crew and staff who have been staying in or working at the facility since Wednesday December 9, are regarded as potential contacts.

They are being asked to get tested and self-isolate until their test results are known. Testing will be available at the facility from this afternoon and tomorrow.