Traces of COVID-19 have been detected in Wellington's wastewater two days in a row, but health officials are currently unconcerned.
A sample of the city's sewage returned a weak positive result for COVID-19 late on Friday night, the Ministry of Health revealed on Sunday.
A follow-up sample on Saturday also returned a weak positive result.
However, health officials believe the traces are due to recovered cases continuing to shed the virus, noting that three people have recently returned to their homes in the Wellington region after quarantining in Auckland.
"Based on our experience, it is most likely that the two weak positive results are due to recently recovered cases continuing to shed the virus," a spokesperson for the ministry said in a statement on Sunday.
"In recent weeks three recovered cases who live in the Wellington region have left the Auckland quarantine facility. A further historical case left a Wellington managed isolation facility the same day the second sample was taken.
"Additionally, it is possible that one or more recently recovered cases from elsewhere could have flown into Wellington."
As part of New Zealand's ongoing precautionary approach - and to help rule out undetected infection - the ministry is encouraging anyone with symptoms, especially if they are in the Wellington region, to get tested promptly.
Common symptoms of COVID-19 include a fever, dry cough and fatigue, but infected individuals may also experience aches and pains, a sore throat, diarrhoea, headache and loss of taste or smell.
This advice also applies to recent visitors to the Wellington region. Anyone who develops symptoms consistent with COVID-19 should call Healthline (0800 358 5453) or their doctor, or visit a testing station.
The Institute of Environmental Science and Research (ESR) undertakes regular wastewater testing across sites in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Rotorua, Hamilton and Queenstown as an additional surveillance tool in the ongoing fight against COVID-19.
According to ESR, traces of the virus shed from a single recovered person can be picked up by wastewater testing.
"It's important to remember the basic public health measures which keep communities protected: wear a mask on public transport, stay home when sick, wash hands frequently and use good sneeze and cough etiquette," the spokesperson continued.
"It's critically important individuals keep a record of where they've been by scanning QR codes or keeping a manual diary of their movements. It can help contact tracers quickly find potential close and casual contacts if there is a positive COVID-19 case."
Further wastewater samples in Wellington are being tested.
A number of testing sites in the Wellington region are open on Sunday, including:
- Wellington central, 196-200 Taranaki St, 10am - 4pm: booking centre operates 9am - 4.30pm, 0800 885 022
- Porirua, 178 Bedford Street, Cannons Creek, 2pm - 5pm: walk-ins accepted, bookings preferred, 0508 672 862
- Hutt Valley testing call centre, opens again on Monday, May 17: bookings able to be made on Sunday from 1:30pm - 4pm, 04 576 8619
- Wellington Region Primary Health Organisations will extend testing centre hours if required.
One new case in managed isolation
One new arrival has tested positive for COVID-19 in a managed isolation facility since Friday, the Ministry of Health said.
No new cases of the virus have been picked up in the community.
The new arrival returned their positive result due to routine testing on day three of their stay in managed isolation. They arrived on May 10 on a direct flight from the US and are quarantining in Auckland.
With no recoveries to report, the new imported case brings the total number of active infections in New Zealand to 19. To date, the country has recorded a total of 2290 cases.
Since January 1, 2021, 474 people have tested positive for the virus in New Zealand. However, 60 of those have been classified as historical cases, meaning they were not infectious at the time of their positive result.
Melbourne community case
The ministry maintains the public health risk to New Zealand is low after a Melbourne resident tested positive for COVID-19 in the community on Tuesday, May 11.
Quarantine-free travel between New Zealand and the state of Victoria has been able to continue, although additional precautions have been implemented.
Information and advice for anyone who was at one of the locations of interest in Melbourne at the specified times - including advice for anyone who has travelled to New Zealand from Melbourne since May 6 - can be found here.
