Nineteen new coronavirus infections, six of which are the new more infectious variant from the UK, have been detected at New Zealand's border since Thursday, the Ministry of Health says.
There are no new COVID-19 cases in the community, a ministry spokesperson said on Sunday.
Two previously reported cases of COVID-19 have now recovered, bringing New Zealand's total active infections to 72.
New cases reported on Sunday:
- One is historical. This person arrived on December 19 from the United States via Australia. This person tested positive at routine testing around day 12 and is staying in quarantine in a facility in Hamilton
- One case arrived on December 20 from India via the United Arab Emirates and Malaysia. This person tested positive at routine testing around day 12 and has been transferred to the Auckland quarantine facility
- One case arrived on December 23 from the United Kingdom via Singapore. This person tested positive following the onset of symptoms on day 8 and has been transferred to the Auckland quarantine facility
- One case arrived on December 24 from India via the United Arab Emirates and Malaysia. This person tested positive around day 6 and has been transferred to the Auckland quarantine facility
- One case arrived on December 27 from United Kingdom via United Arab Emirates and Malaysia. This person tested positive during routine testing around day 3 and has been transferred to the Auckland quarantine facility
- One case arrived on December 28 from the United States. This person tested positive during routine testing around day 3 and has been transferred to the Auckland quarantine facility
- One case arrived on December 29 from United Kingdom via United Arab Emirates. This person tested positive following the onset of symptoms on day 2 and has been transferred to the Auckland quarantine facility
- One case arrived on December 29 from United Kingdom via United Arab Emirates and Malaysia. This person tested positive during routine testing around day 3 and has been transferred to the Auckland quarantine facility
- One case arrived on December 29 from the United Kingdom and tested positive during routine testing around day three. They were transferred to the Auckland quarantine facility
- One case arrived on December 29 from Denmark via United Arab Emirates and Malaysia. This person tested positive following the onset of symptoms on day 1 and is in the Auckland quarantine facility
- Two cases, travelling together, arrived on December 29 from the United Kingdom via Qatar. They tested positive during routine testing around day 3 and were transferred to the Auckland quarantine facility
- Four cases, travelling separately, arrived on December 29 from the United Kingdom via United Arab Emirates. They tested positive during routine testing around day 3 and were transferred to the Auckland quarantine facility
- One case arrived on December 29 from the Seychelles via United Arab Emirates. They tested positive during routine testing around day 3 and were transferred to the Auckland quarantine facility
- One case arrived on December 29 from South Africa via Singapore. They tested positive during routine testing around day 3 and were transferred to the Auckland quarantine facility
- One case arrived on December 31 from the United States. This person tested positive on day 0/1 of routine testing and is in a Christchurch quarantine facility.
To date, New Zealand laboratories have processed 1,414,422 COVID-19 tests, the ministry said.
Meanwhile, the ministry said four of the six UK variant cases detected have since recovered while two remain in the Auckland quarantine facility.
"The cases are all cared for with the same high level of infection prevention measures as all COVID-19 positive cases, with daily health checks and use of PPE.
"Infection prevention control protocols are in place for all staff and we can assure the public that there is no increased risk to the community."
Countries around the world have cut off travel links to the UK to stop the spread of the new variant, which scientists have said is between 40 and 70 percent more transmissible than the original virus.
COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins announced on Sunday that from January 15, all travellers from the UK will need to return a negative COVID-19 test prior to departure.
The Ministry of Health's next COVID-19 update will be on Tuesday.
