New Zealand’s seventh and eighth cases of COVID-19 were announced today in two travellers recently arrived in New Zealand.
A man in his 60s visiting from Australia, who was tested in Australia prior to flying to New Zealand, has now been confirmed as positive by the Australian authorities.
The man arrived in Wellington at 12.05 am on Saturday morning 14 March from Brisbane on Air New Zealand flight number 828 and was informed later that morning by his Australian doctor of his positive test result.
The man, now symptom free, is now in self isolation with his partner and another family member, both well, and cooperating fully with Public Health staff. He does not require hospital care or other medical treatment.
Public Health staff will be checking with their Australian counterparts about what advice was provided to the man prior to travelling.
The eighth case is a woman in her 30s travelling from Denmark who arrived in Auckland via Doha on QR 920 on Tuesday 10 March and then flew from Auckland to Christchurch on Jetstar flight JQ225 arriving at 8am on 10 March. The woman travelled to Queenstown by private rental vehicle.
The woman was unwell and hospitalised for one night. She is now recovering well and being discharged. She will recover in self isolation and will be monitored daily by health services.
Contact tracing on flights has been changed to be the two seats in all directions: front, back, both sides and diagonal. This is supported by current evidence and is in line with the same approach taken by European authorities.
In both instances public health staff are conducting contact tracing and requesting close contacts stay in self isolation for 14 days from the date of potential exposure.
Healthline knows the seat numbers and will be able to advise anyone on the flight, whether they are considered a close or casual contact.
Anyone who was on this flight and is concerned or would like information should contact the Healthline number
