CHRIS SKELTON/Stuff
Well being consultants proceed to research a fifth group case of Covid-19 in Christchurch and one other who examined constructive after flying from Christchurch to Tonga. (File picture).
Well being consultants proceed to research whether or not a fifth Covid-19 case in Christchurch is historic and how a person who tested positive for Covid-19 in Tonga caught the virus.
Christchurch has 5 confirmed group circumstances as of Saturday. Four are clearly linked with a clear source, however a fifth case, revealed on Saturday, is just not linked.
Saturday noticed 160 new Covid cases in the community reported, a new record high.
The fifth Christchurh case is taken into account low danger and is prone to be historic, however investigations had been persevering with to verify this, a Ministry of Well being spokesman beforehand advised Stuff.
READ MORE:
* Covid-19: Fifth case in Christchurch ‘likely’ historical, source of Tongan case remains unknown
* Covid-19: 160 new community cases, contacts in Wellington test negative
* Covid-19: How Tonga’s ‘incredibly wise’ response helped it avoid the pandemic for so long
STUFF
Stuff visited Bishopdale Village Mall to see how Cantabrians are feeling in regards to the new circumstances of Covid-19 in Christchurch.
This case, who’s absolutely vaccinated, had gone by way of managed isolation (MIQ) in Auckland and, after returning a unfavorable day 12 take a look at, left on October 24 and returned to Christchurch. They acquired examined on Thursday and returned a constructive take a look at late on Friday.
The case is now self-isolating in Christchurch.
In the meantime, questions stay about how an individual – who tested positive for Covid-19 in Tonga – caught the virus.
They flew to Tonga from Christchurch on Wednesday and had a unfavorable pre-departure take a look at. Nevertheless, a take a look at upon arrival in Tonga got here again constructive on Friday.
The Ministry of Well being has since confirmed four contacts of the Tongan case – two in Christchurch, two in Wellington – have tested negative.
Discovering out how two totally different individuals caught Covid-19 might be key to deciding whether Christchurch needs a lockdown, consultants say.
Christchurch has remained at alert degree 2 this week, regardless of town’s first group circumstances in almost a yr. Some consultants worry the Tongan case might be an indication of undetected group transmission in Christchurch.
On Friday night, immunologist Dr Dianne Sika-Paotonu mentioned the Tongan case possible indicated “more Covid-19 spread in the Christchurch community than is being currently reflected by the Covid-19 case numbers”.
College of Otago epidemiologist professor Michael Baker earlier advised Stuff there wanted to be extra details about each circumstances earlier than figuring out whether or not there was wider group transmission.
Kevin Stent/Stuff
An individual who flew to Tonga from Christchurch on Wednesday examined constructive for Covid-19 upon arrival in Tonga. (File picture).
He mentioned we wanted to know whether or not the Tongan case was real, whether or not they had caught the virus in Christchurch, and whether or not they had been linked to town’s different group circumstances.
Unlinked circumstances may result in an alert degree change, consultants mentioned.
“I feel as quickly as you have acquired proof of unlinked circumstances, you most likely do must [change alert levels],” Baker mentioned.
Christchurch’s places of curiosity grew to 22 on Saturday.
A location of interest means the positioning was visited by somebody who was later confirmed to have Covid-19.
One new location – Hillmorton Pharmacy – has been deemed larger danger than any others. Anybody who visited between 11am and 11.30am on Wednesday, October 27 ought to keep at house and take a look at instantly.
Anybody who visited the opposite places solely must get examined in the event that they develop signs.
Different places added on Saturday included two buses (numbers 5 and 17), The Warehouse Barrington, FreshChoice Barrington and Tremendous Liquor Barrington.
The Canterbury District Well being Board area has 90 per cent of its eligible inhabitants partly vaccinated, and 72 per cent absolutely vaccinated as of Sunday.
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