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Wellington, October 23, 2021
The South Island has recorded its first community case of Covid-19 since the current outbreak began, with a person testing positive in Blenheim, the Health Ministry has confirmed.
It is understood that the person flew from Rotorua to Blenheim on Thursday, October 21, 2021 and was tested upon arrival after developing a sore throat.
About the Case
“The initial test, including a follow-up swab, returned a weak positive result. The person is now in isolation awaiting further results. This is a low-risk case since this is likely to be the late stage of infection,” the Ministry said.
The initial interviews suggested the case is linked to the Te Awamutu cluster.
The Ministry said that a small number of close contacts had been identified. They are now isolating and will be tested and that locations of interest will be added to its website.
“We are also asking Blenheim residents with symptoms, no matter how mild, to please get tested, even if they are vaccinated,” the Ministry said.
Vaccination Rates
Vaccination rates in the Marlborough region show that 90% of residents have received the first dose, and that 78% are fully immunised.
Marlborough Mayor John Leggett said it was always a possibility the current outbreak would make its way to the South Island.
“The District Council is ready to deal with it. You wake up to this sort of news on a long weekend, planned to enjoy a bit of Sunshine and recreation and hence this is not good news at all. The redeeming factor that we have a plan,” he said.
Mr Leggett said that it is a wakeup call for locals to get tested and vaccinated.
Covid in Numbers
There were a total of 104 new community cases of Covid-19 reported in New Zealand today, with 61 remaining unlinked, up from 129 cases reported yesterday and 102 cases on Thursday.
The Health Ministry said that as well as the Blenheim case, 91 of the new cases were in Auckland, eight were in Waikato and four were in Northland.
There were also two cases in managed isolation today. Fifty-five people are in hospital with the coronavirus, including five in intensive care.
The Ministry said that there have now been 2389 cases of Covid-19 in the current outbreak and 5194 since the outbreak began.
There were 44,750 vaccine doses give yesterday – 11,368 first doses and 33,382 second doses.
Make it Super Saturday
The Ministry appealed to people who are not yet vaccinated to “make today their Super Saturday” and get their first dose.
““Vaccination is our number one protection against Covid-19. The Pfizer Vaccine is safe, will help stop you getting seriously ill, and could save your life. We would also like to remind people that they can get their second dose of the Covid-19 vaccine any time from three weeks after they get their first. This will ensure they get the high protection that full vaccination provides as soon as possible,” the Ministry said.
The government yesterday announced details of its Covid-19 Protection Framework, involving the roll-out of a ‘traffic-light’ system once all DHBs hit 90 percent full vaccination rates. You can read that stories of here and here.
The Ministry also said officials had concluded their investigation into the Waikato case who travelled to Hawke’s Bay.
“No further locations of interest in Hawke’s Bay have been identified but please keep checking the Ministry of Health’s website for the next few days,” the Ministry said.
The next press conference is scheduled for Tuesday.
-Published under a Special Agreement with www.rnz.co.nz
