An infectious diseases expert says Friday's COVID-19 update could be pivotal in understanding the potential spread of the virus in Auckland ahead of the long weekend.
It emerged this week that a COVID-19 case - one of two workplace contacts of a port worker who tested positive for the virus - visited a Greenhithe pub last Friday while infectious. While the risk to others was low, all patrons and staff have been asked to self-isolate and get tested. Other locations connected to a positive case include Rangitoto College and Snap Fitness Browns Bay.
No new community cases were announced on Thursday, and Director-General of Health Ashley Bloomfield said there was no information to suggest increasing alert levels was necessary. Contact tracing is underway and the Health Minister believes it is working as intended.
However, there have been concerns about travel this coming Labour weekend, with thousands expected to move around the country.
Professor David Murdoch, an expert in infectious diseases at the University of Otago, says Friday's COVID-19 data will be interesting.
"I think we just really need to appraise the situation today with the numbers. The Ministry of Health will be looking very carefully at getting a handle on the potential extent of this cluster," he told The AM Show on Friday.
"Obviously, we are a little anxious before a long weekend… but yes, obviously a big day today."
Prof Murdoch said the alert level decisions are "really tough", but authorities have been learning from what they have done in the past.
"We have seen how the alert systems have been nuanced a little as it has gone along. That's the way it should be."
"I think before this weekend clearly the concerns are people travelling. We have had the messages about masks on public transport. We need to keep using that app. The complacency is the big worry for us. This is a really good reminder of what we need to do."
He said this current mini-outbreak is very different to what Auckland experienced in August, when four community cases initially emerged out of the blue and led to a large cluster. The source of that outbreak remains unknown.
"The difference from the previous one, of course, is we know where the source came from and that makes a big difference, so we think it should be easier to control in terms of the contact tracing. We are very much reliant on that."
On Thursday, the Ministry of Health said that positive test results on board the Sofrana Surville ship currently docked in Australia after travelling to New Zealand "support the hypothesis that the port worker reported… on Sunday could have been infected while working on board".
Labour Party minister David Parker said the cases currently in Auckland weren't a "community-wide outbreak that justifies moving alert levels".
"But people need to take more care, and if they show any symptoms, get tested - just in case it is on the march."
National's Simon Bridges agrees.
"The approach that National would take is there's no room for complacency... You've just got to stay close and follow the good advice you're getting from Ashley Bloomfield. If his advice is at the moment the settings are right, I think that's what we'd do."
Kiwis were warned by Dr Bloomfield on Thursday that while the long weekend provides a "well-earned break for many people… this virus doesn't take a break".
"Wherever you go and whatever you do over Labour weekend, record it," he said.
"If you see a QR code, scan it. This is particularly important as many people may be moving around the country, and you may not recall later the names and places of everywhere you visit if you are away from home.
"Even if you have fallen out of the habit of using the app, please start again – reset your habits and go from now. And to businesses, make sure your QR code is visible and easily accessible, and please encourage people to scan in."
In addition to that, New Zealanders should wash their hands regularly, keep surfaces clean, cough and sneeze into their elbows, and wear face coverings indoors where physical distancing can't be maintained.
"We strongly encourage everyone to continue to use a face covering on public transport and flights," he said.
"Most importantly, stay at home if you are sick, and get a test for COVID-19. If you become unwell while you are away from home, call Healthline. Don't wait until you get home to get tested. Testing will be available throughout the country over the long weekend and you can find testing locations on your local DHB website."
The Auckland Regional Public Health Service says five community testing centres will be open throughout the long weekend. These are the Northcote Community Testing Centre, Northcare Accident and Medical, Whānau House in Henderson, Western Springs Community Testing Centre and the Whānau Ora Community Clinic in Wiri.
