Covid 19 coronavirus Delta outbreak: Everything we know so far about Wellington cases

People walking and exercising along Oriental Parade in Wellington on day two of the Covid-19 alert level 4 lockdown. Photo / Mark Mitchell

There are three cases of Covid-19 in Wellington who have recently travelled to Auckland and visited a location of interest there, the Ministry of Health has confirmed.

Two cases are in the suburb of Miramar, in the same household, and one in Johnsonville.

In total there are 11 new cases of Covid-19 in the community across New Zealand today, including the three Wellington cases.

This brings the total number of cases associated with the current Auckland community outbreak to 31.

All cases have already been transferred safely to a managed isolation facility or are in the process of doing so.

Public health officials are conducting interviews to establish how the new cases were infected and to determine further details of their movements.

Mayor Andy Foster said earlier today the Wellington cases travelled from Auckland to Wellington in a private vehicle.

But director general of health Dr Ashley Bloomfield has since confirmed the two groups returned separately by air and the other by car.

He said there were locations of interest between Auckland and Wellington, including petrol stations, restaurants, and cafes, which would be notified on the Ministry of Health's website.

Foster said council staff were continuing to work closely with those authorities to provide more testing capacity and speed up vaccinations, Foster said.

An additional testing facility has already been set up at Hataitai Park and a vaccination centre will open at the Michael Fowler Centre tomorrow, he said.

Foster said there's capacity to stand up further testing and vaccination facilities as required.

These latest reports of Covid-19 confirmed the Government's decision to "go hard and fast with lockdown" was the right thing to do, Foster said.

"It also confirms the importance of every one of us doing our part - staying home, staying separate, wearing a mask if going to the supermarket or medical facility, contact tracing, good hygiene protocols, and getting vaccinated.

"Finally at this stage, I want to again thank all our essential service workers, for doing what you are doing to keep us all safe and fed, and keeping essential infrastructure running. You are all heroes in my book."

People wearing masks waiting to be tested for Covid-19 at the Taranaki St site in Wellington. Photo / Mark Mitchell

At midday today there were about 30 cars waiting for testing at the Taranaki St site.

The queue stretched 200m down the street, almost to Vivian St.

Capital and Coast DHB said 2516 Covid-19 tests were processed yesterday.

Of these, 2020 were at Capital and Coast DHB area and 496 tests at Hutt Valley DHB.

Testing numbers for yesterday are due to be released today.

At midday today there were about 30 cars waiting for testing at the Taranaki St site. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Yesterday, Bloomfield said wastewater testing results, including from the Wellington region, had so far come back negative.

Cabinet has been meeting from 1pm today to consider the latest information to decide whether there will be any changes to alert levels.

University of Otago Department of Primary Health Care & General Practice senior lecturer Lesley Gray said given how transmissible the Delta variant is, cases outside Auckland were to be expected.

She said this would likely mean a longer period of time at alert level 4 nationwide.

"People are responding well so far to this lockdown – the vast majority of people are staying home as required and only engaging with essential services when necessary.

"Many thousands of people are presenting for Covid testing across Aotearoa NZ and some of the testing centres are swamped. People who are registered with a GP can also contact their GP practice to find out if testing is available at their practice as this may offer a timed appointment slot."