Four new cases of COVID-19 have been caught at the border, the Ministry of Health said on Saturday.
There are now 20 active cases of the virus in New Zealand, but still no cases of community transmission.
"Three of today’s cases are now in quarantine at the Jet Park facility in Auckland," the Ministry of Health said."The fourth is in Auckland City Hospital in a stable condition on a ward. All appropriate precautions are being taken."
There have now been 1526 confirmed and probable cases of COVID-19 in New Zealand. Sunday's increase of four is the biggest since May 2, when six new cases were reported. That was prior community transmission being wiped out thanks to the lockdown.
The new cases
The first case is a woman who arrived from India on June 14. In her 30s, she's the wife of a previous case and had been isolating separately. Her infection was picked up on day 11 of isolation.
The second is a man in his 30s who arrived from Nepal on June 18. He tested positive on day three. Two close family contacts have tested negative, and the results are pending for a third.
The third is a man in his 30s who has been in isolation at the Grand Millennium Hotel.
The fourth is also a man in his 30s, staying at the Haka Hotel in Auckland. His infection was picked up on day three. He arrived on June 24, and was taken to hospital after showing symptoms. He is stable, and not in intensive care.
"Members of staff treating the man were made aware that he had returned from overseas to a managed quarantine facility and appropriate protocols were followed, including the use of PPE. No members of staff are considered close contacts.
"The patient was cared for in a separate room in the clinical assessment unit at Auckland City Hospital before being transferred to a separate room on one of the hospital wards."
The ministry said the increase in cases was always expected as Kiwis return from pandemic-hit countries overseas.
"Even with all arrivals being tested twice during their stay in managed isolation, we also continue to do a daily check for symptoms consistent with COVID-19 as part of our broader programme, which includes strict protocols in our managed isolation and quarantine facilities," said Director-General of Health Ashley Bloomfield.
"While today's news that one of our recent cases is in hospital may be concerning to some, it is something the health system in New Zealand has remained prepared for.
"I want to reassure the wider community that this person is receiving good treatment from the team at Auckland City Hospital who have previous experience of managing positive cases."
Just over 5300 tests were done on Saturday. So far 392,756 tests have been carried out.
There are still 427 people who went through isolation without being tested that the Ministry is yet to track down.
"Again, a reminder to anyone who was in a managed isolation facility between June 9 and 16 who has not yet spoken with Healthline to call the dedicated team on (09) 302 0408," the ministry said.
"We have had 137 people who will not be tested because of reasons such as being a child, being part of repositioning crew, currently being overseas or they are refusing a test. 79 people have refused testing."
