There are three new cases of COVID-19 in New Zealand after members in the same family tested positive.
The mother and daughter returned positive test results on Saturday night with relatively low CT values, the Ministry of Health says, which indicates they are new and active infections. The father returned his positive result on Sunday morning. Genome sequencing is underway.
There is a fourth person in their household who is awaiting their test results.
All four family members will be housed at the Jet Park Hotel quarantine facility until they have recovered.
Two of the positive cases visited Pak'nSave Manukau for about 10 minutes on Friday, which is currently considered a potential exposure event. And between February 6 and 8, potentially around the time of becoming symptomatic, two of the cases travelled to New Plymouth and visited tourist attractions. Times, dates, and locations are yet to be confirmed.
Their source of infection is currently unknown and is being investigated.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is returning to Wellington to be briefed on the cases and to make decisions relating to the infections. She won't be attending the Big Gay Out event in Auckland as originally planned.
"We will provide an additional update once further information comes to hand," her office said in a statement.
New Zealand still remains at alert level 1, although officials warn this could be quickly changed. Do you believe it should change following these new cases?
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