Two new cases of coronavirus have been detected in New Zealand in the last 24 hours, both of which are imported.
The Ministry of Health revealed the latest figures in a press release sent to media on Tuesday afternoon, which also confirmed there were no further community COVID-19 cases.
Of the new cases, one arrived in the country on November 17 from India via the UAE, while the other arrived on November 19 from the US.
Both tested positive on around day three of their stay in managed isolation facilities, and have since been transferred to the Jet Park Hotel, Auckland's quarantine facility.
In addition to the new cases, one previously confirmed case has now been reclassified as historical. This means there are now 53 active cases of COVID-19 in New Zealand - 49 at the border and four in the community.
On Monday, laboratories completed another 3560 tests for COVID-19, bringing the total number of tests completed to date to 1,237,736.
Possible Air NZ case: Pet store visitors told to get tested
The Ministry of Health has revealed new details on the possible case of COVID-19 in a staff member who is currently in China - a case it was made aware of on Monday.
Currently, the case is under investigation and health officials are following protocols as though this were a confirmed case in New Zealand.
"As a result of our investigation to date, we have identified three close contacts in Auckland, all of whom are now in self-isolation," a spokesperson said.
"Two additional people are being investigated as close contacts. Other staff on the flight will be initially assessed by Air New Zealand around their contact status. ARPHS will be actively following up any close contacts when they are back in New Zealand.
"We have also been investigating locations of interest the person may have visited in the relevant time period prior to departing on their flight."
One of these locations of interest is Animates Manukau. Health officials are now urging anyone who was at the store between 1:22pm and 2:11pm on Saturday, November 21, to get tested for coronavirus.
"We will be sending a push notification to users of our COVID Tracer app who scanned in around this time," the ministry said. "People should note that the risk is deemed to be low and testing is being recommended as a precaution only."
The person also made brief visits to a number of other businesses and shops on Friday and Saturday.
Staff at most of these businesses are advised to isolate at home and get tested if they develop symptoms while the investigation continues, but members of the public who may have been at these locations are not considered to be at risk.
Privacy Commissioner endorses COVID Tracer app
An endorsement of the the NZ COVID Tracer app by Privacy Commisioner John Edwards as "a positive privacy move" has been welcomed by the Ministry of Health.
The endorsement comes after an update that rendered providing an email address when registering with the app redundant.
"This means you can get started with the app without needing to provide any personal information whatsoever," a ministry spokesperson said.
"You choose exactly what personal information and contact details you want to register with the app - all information is optional.
"Your digital diary of scanned QR codes is saved securely on your own phone where only you can see it, and it continues to be your choice whether you share your diary if a contact tracer gets in touch."
The ministry says Edwards' endorsement is important, as it increases Kiwis' confidence that their private data is protected when they use the app.
