A young child has returned a "possible positive COVID-19 test" in Japan, despite testing negative before leaving New Zealand last week.
According to a statement from the Hawke's Bay District Health Board on Monday night, a child "who is now overseas and had returned from overseas to New Zealand earlier this year, returned a possible positive COVID-19 test after arriving in Japan on Friday".
The result is being investigated in Japan as a suspected historical or potential false-positive case.
Before leaving New Zealand, the child and their family members tested negative for the virus. Other close family members who remain in Aotearoa have been isolated and tested, and have returned negative COVID-19 results.
Although the situation is considered a "very low risk", the DHB has alerted a Napier childcare centre and parents of children who attend the centre of the possible positive test result.
"The child also was also on a flight from Napier to Auckland, Air NZ flight NZ5018, on Thursday October 22. Anyone on that flight should be alert to any symptoms, and if symptoms did develop stay home and get a COVID-19 test."
Hawke's Bay Medical Officer of Health Nick Jones says he is working closely with the Ministry of Health, which is in regular contact with Japanese authorities.
Dr Jones said he expected to have further test results back within 48 hours.
