The Ministry of Health has provided an update on the case of COVID-19 identified in Auckland yesterday (Sunday October 18). 

Director-general of health Dr Ashley Bloomfield also said there were no new cases to report today (Monday October 19).

“This result is particularly pleasing as it includes test results back from a number of the close contacts of the case we reported yesterday, including his one workplace contact and two of his four housohold contacts,” Ashley said. 

The remaining household contacts have been tested and the ministry is awaiting their results.

A ship now bound for Brisbane, which the new case worked on on October 12 and 13, is believed to be the most likely source of transmission, Ashley said.

“We have a clear line of investigation because the nature of his work meant he was boarding ships that had travelled to New Zealand from other countries and...have international crew members.”

The case wore PPE while working on the ship, Ashley said. 

Genome sequencing showed the strain of COVID-19 is “not a type we have previously seen in New Zealand and not connected to any New Zealand cases…” Ashley said.

Ashley said the ministry will look at testing processes around the ports to see if anything needs to be strengthened.

PHOTO: Supplied