Two COVID-19 cases notified in Christchurch last evening

Ministry of Health Manatū Hauora

Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins

The Ministry of Health was notified last evening of two positive COVID-19 cases in Christchurch from the same household.  One member of the household had recently returned to Christchurch from Auckland.

"The local public health unit is gathering information from the cases to identify close contacts and exposure events, including any locations of interest. The Ministry will undertake a public health risk assessment of the situation this morning and a further update will be provided after that" the Ministry of Health said today.

The two Covid-19 cases were not using the contact tracing app regularly and one may have been infectious in the community for almost two weeks "I think it was almost two weeks ago they arrived. It's over a week, they have had some time in Christchurch to be out and about potentially exposing people." Hipkins told Mike Hosking on Newstalk ZB "any infections outside the current alert levels was worrying."

Hipkins told RNZ that "he cannot rule out a snap lockdown in Christchurch, but officials were still waiting on more information before making that call. He said they expect to make a decision at 1pm."

"Both the cases are unvaccinated, and I think there is at least one other household that's been identified with close contacts so they will be working to get in touch with them to make sure they are isolating and tested "Hipkins said.

Hopkins on told TVNZ Breakfast asked the public again to get vaccinated. He said "it was now not if the virus would get to those unvaccinated, but when." " Covid-19 is on our doorstep."`

UPDATE:

The area of Christchurch involved is Bishopedale with three households involved containing nine people with one of the covid affected persons being a truck driver.

Hipkins is holding Christchurch at alert Level 2.