An Auckland mall, bus, bar and casino have been revealed as new locations of interest after they were visited by new COVID-19 cases.
On Tuesday, New Zealand was hit by our first new community case in months - Case A. They are a 58-year-old Devonport male, a tradesperson who visited several private homes.
On Wednesday morning four other cases were announced. One is a work colleague of Case A, a 20-year-old male. Three others are flatmates - a fully vaccinated nurse, 21, a teacher at west Auckland's Avondale College, 25, and a male, 29.
And on Wednesday afternoon five other new cases were announced. They are a 21-year-old female and 19-year-old male who are friends and spent time with the existing cases, a woman in her 60s with a link to the border,a man in his 20s who is the partner of a known case that was reported as a positive case this morning and a woman in her 20s who has a connection with another case reported today.
Dr Bloomfield said the young people have been "out and about" and there will be a large number of potential exposure sites as a result.
By 9pm on Wednesday the Ministry of Health locations of interest had ballooned to nearly 70, including Lynn Mall, Event Cinemas and a bus in the city.
Two new locations of interest revealed are the Auckland Central Church of Christ and SkyCity Casino. One of the cases visited the Sunday service, while SkyCity Casino was visited on Saturday morning.
"If you were in either of those locations, look out," Dr Bloomfield said.
The Ministry of Health later added Denny's CBD, Bar 101, and PAK'nSAVE Wairau Road. Additionally, BP Northcote, Green Bay Takeaways, Birkdale's Passion Bakery, Countdown Birkenhead and Warehouse New Lynn are locations of interest.
Another location in the Coromandel has been added to the Ministry of Health's locations of interest page.
It's the booking office for the Driving Creek Railway Tours Coromandel, which was visited by Case A during two periods on Saturday August 14: 10:30am - 10:50am and 11:20am - 1:00pm.
Members of Avondale College's community have been told to get tested and watch for symptoms.
"All staff and students of the college are now considered close contacts and must stay in self-isolation at home for 14 days," the school said in a statement to staff, students and caregivers.
"Even if New Zealand's national alert level changes from the current Level 4, you must still complete your full, 14-day self-isolation."
The nurse worked for four shifts during their infectious period at Auckland City Hospital, which has put steps in place to prevent transmission inside the hospital.
"The Ministry understands news this morning that one of the cases worked at Auckland City Hospital may create concern," the Ministry of Heath says in a statement.
"However, anyone who needs urgent medical care will be safe as safe in our hospitals now as they would be at any other time, including Auckland City Hospital.
"The hospital last night activated plans to prevent the spread of the virus within the hospital. The DHB has stopped unnecessary movements between wards and is testing all staff and patients on the ward the staff member worked on. The DHB is also standing down, testing and isolating staff on the same ward."
