There are two new cases of COVID-19 in managed isolation in New Zealand today.
It has been 89 days since the last case of COVID-19 was acquired locally from an unknown source.
Today's first case is a man in his 50's who arrived in New Zealand on 14 July from Afghanistan via Dubai. The positive test was from day 12 testing. He has been transferred to an Auckland quarantine facility.
Today's second case is a man aged in his 40's who arrived in New Zealand on 27 July from the Philippines, via Hong Kong. He was taken straight to an Auckland quarantine facility as he was symptomatic on arrival. The positive test was from a test on arrival.
There are no recovered cases to report today, meaning the number of active cases in New Zealand is 23.
There is no one in New Zealand receiving hospital-level care for COVID-19.
Our total number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 is now 1209, which is the number we report to the World Health Organization.
Yesterday our laboratories completed 2,733 tests, of which 2,481 were in the community, and 252 were in managed isolation and quarantine facilities.
That brings the total number of tests completed to date 460,067.
COVID-19 case in South Korea
We continue to exchange information with our counterparts over the traveller who recently tested positive upon arrival in South Korea.
To date, there is no evidence of any transmission in New Zealand involving this case.
We can report today that the Auckland household contacts of this individual have all returned negative results, reinforcing the current low risk of this case to New Zealand.
We are working with our counterparts in Korea and Singapore to further investigate the situation including awaiting the result from a second PCR test from the case.
Contact tracing of passengers on a domestic flight this person was on from Auckland to Christchurch and other possible close contacts continues.
All related tests undertaken to date have returned a negative result, including tests results we have to date from border staff at Christchurch airport. Further testing is underway.
Those identified as close contacts within the 48 hours before the case had their positive test are being asked to self-isolate for the balance of their 14 days. Any casual contacts do not need to self-isolate but are being asked to be tested if they develop symptoms consistent with COVID-19 over the 14 day period.
We are also continuing to follow up on the individual's movements while they were in New Zealand.
