Daily sampling from the wastewater in New Plymouth will continue for the next week to determine if there are any undetected cases of COVID-19, the Ministry of Health said on Tuesday, after fragments of the virus were detected in the city's treatment plant.
Further samples have also been collected from sites around the region, the ministry said in its update.
The latest results from wastewater testing - returned from six sites during a 24-hour period between Saturday and Sunday - show no further virus has been detected.
Meanwhile, just one recent returnee has tested positive for the virus in a managed isolation and quarantine (MIQ) facility in the past 24 hours. The person arrived on July 22 and tested positive on the third day of their stay in MIQ. Their full travel history has yet to be determined, but they transited in Singapore.
Two previously reported cases have now recovered, bringing the number of active cases in New Zealand to 52.
A person who tested positive after arriving from South Africa on July 15 has now been reclassified as a historical case. A case reported on Sunday - who arrived from the US on July 12 - has also been reclassified as "under investigation" and has been removed from the tally of confirmed cases.
A spokesperson for the ministry said officials are pleased to see testing numbers increasing in the region, with around 300 swabs taken on Monday.
"The ministry is continuing to encourage anyone in Taranaki with symptoms to be tested," the spokesperson said.
"The ministry is also recommending that any recent arrivals from Australia, who have symptoms, also get tested, and anyone who has recently been in Australia who is now in Taranaki to get tested even if they don’t have symptoms."
Anyone presenting symptoms consistent with COVID-19 should call Healthline (0800 358 5453) for advice on getting a test.
For Taranaki testing locations, please visit the Taranaki DHB website. For a list of all testing locations nationwide, visit the Healthpoint website.
Ship updates
MS Mattina
The ship remains in quarantine in Bluff and is inaccessible to the public.
"Every safety precaution has been taken to ensure the public health risk, which has been deemed low, remains that way."
Playa Zahara
The crew of the Playa Zahara have now all recovered from COVID-19, the ministry confirmed, and no one remains on-shore in MIQ facilities.
The fishing vessel remains in quarantine at Lyttelton Port. A deep-clean of the vessel was undertaken on Friday and it is expected to depart on Wednesday.
Viking Bay
Fourteen of the 20 crew members are now back aboard the Viking Bay, which remains in quarantine at Queens Wharf in Wellington.
Six of the crew members remain in MIQ in Wellington.
Rolling average of cases
The spokesperson for the Ministry of Health said the recent spike in the daily rolling case average, which now stands at six, is largely due to the infections among mariners from international vessels.
"This is largely as a result of the confirmed cases among mariners from the Viking Bay, Playa Zahara and Mattina. This increase in reported cases at the border serves as a reminder that many countries are continuing to see surges in cases," they said.
"The last time we had a similar average rate was in mid-April.
"It remains important we keep ourselves and our whanau happy, healthy and safe.
"We can do that by getting vaccinated when invited to do so; staying home when sick; practising basic hygiene; wearing a face covering on public transport and flights; and getting a test if you have symptoms."
