Rush for tests, but no cases

There are no new cases of Covid-19 in the community, the Ministry of Health announced yesterday. However, there were long queues for tests at Taranaki Base Hospital after analysis of the district’s wastewater revealed two positive results which were announced on Friday night.

The ministry said it was pleased at the response to a call for testing in New Plymouth. Testing numbers will be provided today.

Results were also expected today from further and wider wastewater sampling carried out over the weekend in Taranaki, the ministry said.

There are two new positive cases of Covid-19 in managed isolation facilities and two new historical cases aboard the vessel Playa Zahara.

Nineteen previously reported cases have now recovered. The number of active cases is 58 – all in managed isolation.

The ministry is recommending anyone in Taranaki, or who has visited recently, and who has symptoms, to get tested.

The ministry is also recommending any recent arrivals from Australia, who have symptoms, to also get tested, and anyone who has recently been in Australia who is now in Taranaki to get tested even if they do not have symptoms.

Additional testing capacity has been stepped up in New Plymouth to support potential demand.

People who had recently been in Australia should continue to check the state websites as new locations of interest continued to be identified, the Ministry of Health said on Saturday.