Auckland Regional Public Health Service has this afternoon conducted a detailed interview with the case announced today at 1pm in the community in Auckland.

We now know that this person’s role at A-Z Collection is in a customer facing role, as a shop assistant.

This person became symptomatic on 9 November, was tested on 10 November, was asked to isolate, then went to work on 11 November.

We now know that this case called in sick to work after receiving the advice to isolate, but after a conversation with their manager went to work and wore a mask.

A-Z Collection is closed today and is undergoing a deep clean.

Whole genome sequencing will also allow the genome of this case to be compared to that of other recent cases to help us determine the source of this latest infection.

Three close contacts have been identified, and they are all being followed up, isolated, and tested.

Close contacts include a colleague of the case, and two friends. They all report being well. The two friends are being transferred to the Auckland quarantine facility as a precaution. One of the friends lives alone in the Vincent Residences, the same as the case.

All residents of the Vincent Residences have been asked to go home and stay home while testing takes place. Health authorities are working closely with the body corporate, and a cleaning company is going in today to do a deep clean of the common areas of the apartment building, including stairwells, lifts, and the lobby.

All common areas in the apartment building will be closed and a mobile testing station will be on site tonight.

Today’s case also took a number of Ubers to work. The drivers are being contacted by ARPHS. 

Following interviews with today’s case a number of locations of interest have been identified that the person visited while possibly infectious.

These include:

Sat 7 November

3.50pm – 6pm Smith and Caughey’s Department Store, Queen St.

6pm – 8.30pm Red Pig Restaurant, Kitchener St

Sun 8 November

11.30am to 11.45am Takeaways from Starbucks Queen St and from Sunnytown Restaurant, Lorne St

6.40pm - 6.50pm Takeaways from The Gateau House, 332 Queen St

Monday 9 November

11.30am – 11.40am Takeaways from Starbucks Queen St and from Sunnytown Restaurant, Lorne St

Anyone who was dining at the Red Pig Restaurant on Saturday night will need to be tested and to go into self-isolation until they receive a negative test result.

Anyone at Smith and Caughey’s, Starbucks, Sunnytown and The Gateau House at these times should watch for symptoms and get tested if they feel unwell, staying in self-isolation until they receive a negative test.

Anyone who was at these places around these times should isolate, get tested, and stay isolated until they receive a negative result.

A full list of testing sites in Auckland is available on the Auckland Regional Public Health Service website.

Anyone throughout New Zealand, who has cold or flu symptoms should get a test and stay at home until you have a negative test result.

People who work in downtown Auckland are being asked to work from home tomorrow where possible.