There are no new community cases of COVID-19, the Ministry of Health announced on Sunday.
One case from managed isolation, which was under further investigation on Saturday, has been reclassified as a confirmed case - but has now recovered.
It follows the confirmation of 11 new imported cases on Saturday, five of which are seamen in the foreign fishing crew isolating in Christchurch.
Three other cases have recovered as of Sunday, bringing New Zealand's active case total to 70.
The ministry confirmed that all day-six testing of the international fishing crew has now been completed, with no additional positive results to report following the 11 cases on Saturday.
It was announced earlier in the week that the seamen would undergo testing on day six of their mandatory isolation period as a precaution, in addition to routine testing at around day three and day 12. The Russian and Ukrainian fishing crew arrived in New Zealand on a chartered flight from Moscow and have been isolating at the Sudima Christchurch Airport.
Eighteen of the fishermen tested positive in managed isolation on Wednesday, and seven were recorded as imported cases on Friday.
A community case of COVID-19, a port worker, was announced last Sunday. A close household contact "in the marine employee cluster" was reported on Friday, and two workplace contacts of the original case tested positive on Wednesday.
The community case, whose role requires PPE and limited interaction with colleagues, became symptomatic last Friday and immediately organised a test. Health officials remain positive that the rapid contacting and isolation of close contacts has contained possible community spread.
New Zealand's total number of confirmed cases now stands at 1579, which is the number reported to the World Health Organization.
On Saturday, our laboratories processed 5396 tests, bringing the total number of tests completed to date to 1,067,143.
"This is a strong weekend figure," the ministry said in Sunday's statement.
"Testing has also been pleasing in the Auckland area, with metropolitan DHBs reporting steady demand at the region's seven community testing centres, where 633 people were swabbed yesterday."
Seven community testing centres remain open in Auckland on Sunday and Monday:
- Northcare Accident and Medical
- Northcote Community Testing Centre
- Whanau House in Henderson
- Western Springs Community Testing Centre
- Whanau Ora Community Clinic in Wiri,
- Otara Community Testing Centre
- North Harbour stadium carpark in Albany.
COVID-19 testing is also available across metro Auckland at a number of urgent care clinics and general practices over the long weekend, the ministry said. Regardless of where a swab is performed, all COVID-19 tests are free of charge.
Full details of testing availability in Auckland and the testing centre opening hours can be found on the Auckland Regional Public Health Service website.
The ministry urged New Zealanders to remember that wherever they are over Labour weekend, Healthline is available 24/7 to provide advice and information on testing locations. Its dedicated COVID-19 number is 0800 358 5453, or check the DHB's website.
"We'd also like to extend our thanks to primary care teams testing today, the laboratory staff, public health teams, hospital staff and the other health professionals who are working during this long weekend to support our pandemic response," said the statement.
Health officials continue to advise New Zealanders to call Healthline or their GP if they are presenting flu-like symptoms consistent with COVID-19 - such as a dry cough, sore throat, fever and fatigue - to organise a swab.
NZ COVID Tracer
There are now 2,325,300 users registered on NZ COVID Tracer. The app has recorded a total of 98,703,172 poster scans and users have created a total of 4,151,438 manual diary entries.
The ministry said it's "encouraging" to see the number of poster scans has almost doubled compared to the number reported last Wednesday.
"The more we scan, the safer we’ll be. The faster we respond, the faster we stop COVID-19."
