There are no new cases in the community outside of the 3 cases announced yesterday. For formal reporting figures, the third community case is included in our numbers today.
There are 5 cases of COVID-19 in managed isolation, one of which is historical.
Auckland February cases
The results of genomic sequencing for the first 2 Auckland February cases have confirmed the COVID-19 variant B1.1.7, first detected in the UK.
ESR is now conducting a scan of the international genome database to see if there is a match.
This result reinforces the decision to take swift and robust action around the latest cases to detect and stamp out the possibility of any further transmission.
An intensive source investigation around the latest cases continues, along with public health actions and alert level changes outlined yesterday, are designed to break any potential chains of transmission.
Serology testing for the 3 positive cases and a close household contact is also now underway.
The 3 cases remain in quarantine and one household contact, who has tested negative, is in isolation.
Close contacts
Contact tracing has identified 10 close contacts outside the household. Six of these close contacts have returned a negative test and 4 results are pending.
Investigations will continue today into the three community cases, including further interviews. As a result the number of locations of interest, close and casual plus contacts may change.
The priority is for close contacts and casual plus contacts to be tested so we can understand any risk in the community.
There are a number of locations of interest for people who may be 'Casual Plus Contacts' or 'Casual Contacts' of COVID-19 cases in the community. While risk from these locations is most often low, contacts who attended one of the locations during the relevant timeframes are asked to follow the directions of health officials.
For the latest information on locations of interest, and to understand if you are a casual or close contact, please see Contact tracing locations of interest.
Testing centres
More than 1,000 tests were carried out in Auckland yesterday at community testing centres. Today community testing centres have extended their hours at Health New Lynn, The Whanau Ora Community Clinic in Wiri, Otara Community Testing Centre and Botany Testing Centre.
