No community cases; 19 new cases in managed isolation; 1 historical case; mariners updates

There are no cases of COVID-19 to report in the community in New Zealand today.

There are 19 positive cases – all of whom are mariners in isolation – and one historical case of COVID-19 to report today in a recent returnee in a managed isolation facility.

Since 1 January 2021, there have been 101 historical cases, out of a total of 682 cases.

Two previously reported cases have now recovered. The number of active cases in New Zealand is 80.

The seven-day rolling average of new cases detected at the border is seven.

Our total number of confirmed cases is 2,499.

New border cases in New Zealand

Arrival date

From

Via

Positive test day/reason

Managed isolation/quarantine location

13 July*

Mariner

Playa Zahara

Surveillance testing

Christchurch

13 July**

Mariner

Playa Zahara

Surveillance testing

Lyttleton Port – Lyttleton

18 July***

Mariner

MS Mattina

Surveillance testing

South Port – Bluff

* This refers to 11 positive cases detected in surveillance testing of mariners who arrived in Lyttleton on the Playa Zahara vessel on 13 July 2021. These cases were previously reported under investigation and are now deemed current cases.

** This refers to five positive cases detected in surveillance testing of mariners who arrived in Lyttleton on the Playa Zahara vessel on 13 July 2021. These cases were previously reported under investigation and are now deemed current cases.

*** This refers to three positive cases detected in surveillance testing of mariners who arrived in Bluff on the MS Mattina vessel on 18 July 2021.

Historical cases identified at the border

Arrival date

From

Via

Positive test day/reason

Managed isolation/quarantine location

19 July

United States of America

Direct flight

Day 0 / routine

Christchurch

Mattina

Health and border authorities continue to manage the situation around the Mattina.

The health and welfare of the crew are being overseen by Southern DHB’s Medical Officers of Health, who are working closely with maritime, port and other government agencies.

Last night, we confirmed the results of whole genome sequencing from nine crew members of the Mattina, showing they have the Delta variant of COVID-19. This morning, the Ministry can confirm that a further three crew members onboard have tested positive for COVID-19. In total onboard the Mattina, there are now 15 positive COVID-19 cases.

As we have indicated in earlier updates, all crew who have tested positive will remain quarantined on board the vessel at this time, where they will maintain the minimum functions at the port. They will not have direct contact with any port staff while maintaining these functions.

Three crew members, including the ship’s captain, who have all tested negative for COVID-19, have been safely transported to onshore facilities, under the same strict infection prevention and control procedures, including the use of full PPE, regularly used to transport people arriving from overseas to MIQ facilities.

The captain on the ship was safely transported last night to a secure DHB-provided facility to isolate.

Two of the other crew members are being transported to a Christchurch-based quarantine facility today.

These plans have been put in place to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the negative crew members at the same time as the health and wellbeing of members of the community. In both instances, the public health risk to the community has been deemed low.

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