Tuesday 28 September, 1pm

1 of the new cases is yet to be linked. 

Dr Ashley Bloomfield ran through today’s numbers at the 1pm update. 

7 of today’s new cases are known contacts of existing ones. 

Dr Bloomfield said the unlinked case came into the emergency department at Waitakere Hospital in Auckland last night. The person was assessed on arrival and moved to an appropriate area while waiting for a test result. 

When they were confirmed to be Covid positive they were transferred to North Shore Hospital - in keeping with Covid protocols, Dr Bloomfield said. The person is currently in isolation in a negative pressure room as a precaution. 

5 members of the Waitakere ED have also been stood down as a precaution. A further 8 patients still in hospital who were in the vicinity of the case are being treated as contacts.

A deep clean has been conducted and the ED is now operating back at normal capacity, he said. 

Wastewater tests

A positive wastewater test result was recorded in Tauranga on September 23, Bloomfield said. 

More samples from nearby areas are expected on Thursday. Dr Bloomfield reiterated the need for anyone with Covid symptoms to get a test - even if they are outside of Auckland.