Today there are no new cases of COVID-19 to report.
This means the number of active cases in New Zealand remains at 22. All active cases have recently returned from overseas and are in managed isolation facilities. There have been no cases of community transmission.
One person remains in Auckland City Hospital in a stable condition on a ward.
Our total number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 remains at 1,178, which is the number we report to the World Health Organization.
Yesterday our laboratories completed 1,960 tests, bringing the total number of tests completed to date to 397,470. This includes testing at managed isolation facilities and community-based testing across the country. The seven day rolling daily test average is 6950.
Supplies
Over the last few months we have worked to establish strong supply chain links for both testing and PPE supplies – globally, supply chains remain under significant stress.
“We are ensuring we have sufficient stocks here in New Zealand to give us a buffer if supply chains are disrupted,” says Director-General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield.
“Some items of PPE such as gloves are in short supply globally. We are working with infection prevention control specialists to ensure the correct PPE is being used and that where appropriate alternatives exist, these are used.
“At current usage rates of PPE, New Zealand has a minimum of three months stock of all PPE items required to deal with COVID-19. For most items, we have over six months.
“We continue to work to bring in PPE to support New Zealand if there is an increase in infections. In the last two weeks, for example, 63 million items of PPE have landed in New Zealand.
“New Zealand is also in a good position with its supplies for testing – current stock across the country is sufficient to enable 253,190 tests.
“We have sufficient supplies of lab consumables and swabs already in the country and more are arriving regularly.
“We have established strong relationships and processes with our main suppliers for testing supplies that are working well.”
