Auckland

Vigilance urged as Auckland Covid restrictions ease

Auckland remains at alert level two for another fortnight with the rest now at alert level one.

But head of the Pacific Expert Advisory Group, Dr Colin Tukuitonga, warns mass gatherings are where the spread of the virus takes place.

Tukuitonga said people should continue to follow the appropriate health advice.

"Even though we're now at level two, if people can avoid big gatherings, I would because say there was a stray case out in the community, a mass gathering runs the risk of spreading that," he said.

Lions outclass Auckland

Eight days after being humbled 52-28 by Waikato, the Lions have outclassed Auckland 39-21, outscoring their hosts six tries to three.

Wellington took charge in the first half, with Vince Aso, Wes Goosen, Peter Umaga-Jensen, Billy Proctor and Pepesana Patafilo scoring tries to take a 29-14 halftime lead.

Aso then sealed the win with his second try late in the match.

New All Blacks squad member Caleb Clarke, Jonathan Ruru and Leni Apisai scored Auckland's tries.

Auckland school closed after student tests positive for Covid-19

 

The Auckland Regional Public Health Service (ARPHS) said it and the Ministry of Education were now working with the College to identify close contacts of the case. 

Staff and parents were told on Tuesday afternoon. 

Any close contacts will be getting further information soon on self-isolating and testing. 

The student was last at school on Friday but left early after starting to feel unwell. 

Auckland confirms 13 new cases in community, one in managed isolation

Director-General of Health Ashley Bloomfield says the 13 new cases are all linked to one Auckland cluster - the four people who were reported as confirmed cases yesterday and the day before.

He says the one new case in managed isolation is a woman in her 30s who arrived from the Philippines.

There are now a total of 36 active cases in New Zealand.

Dr Bloomfield says 17 of these are linked to the new outbreak: "Given that all these cases are linked, we are treating them as a cluster."

Another escape from managed isolation in Auckland

She said the man was apprehended by police after only making it 50 metres from the hotel.

"They didn't even make 50 metres. Security and the police were on to it and it really does show the work of having the police on site.

"They could be immediately brought back into the facility. This is an example of the systems working as they should.

Air Commodore Darryn Webb said the 32-year-old man attempted to follow a staff member out of the gate, claiming he was a worker.

Repatriation flight for Fiji citizens will from Auckland

Fiji Airways said the flight is available for all people who have an unused ticket with the airline.

It sayid there are limited seats, and all passengers will be sent to a quarantine facility when they arrive in Nadi.

 

     

Calls grow for Polyfest to be canned amid coronavirus fears

Last weekend's Pasifika festival was cancelled amid fears that coronavirus could be spread.

So far, Polyfest's organisers are pushing ahead with the event in Manukau, saying extra precautions were being taken.

But Auckland councillor for Manukau, Efeso Collins, said people in the community were increasingly worried.

"Yeah, it's an absolute nightmare when you organise stages to go up but I think that nightmare is liveable if you know that you are not going to have serious health effects come out of holding the Polyfest.

Auckland's Pasifika festival cancelled amid coronavirus fears

All five cases of the virus in New Zealand have been in the Auckland region.

More than 400 local and international artists were on the cards to perform at the festival, which was due to start tomorrow.

It is the second year in a row the festival has been cancelled, after last year's event was called off in the aftermath of the 15 March terrorist attack in Christchurch.

There were concerns earlier this week that it would be called off again, but it was given the all clear to go ahead on Tuesday, with authorities instead warning anyone who felt sick to stay home.

NZ Minister of Health says 'perfectly safe' to attend Pasifika,Polyfest despite coronavirus case

This is the confident response from Minister of Health David Clark after being asked if events like Pasifika and Polyfest should still go ahead, despite the announcement of New Zealand's first COVID-19 coronavirus case.

He says, "we're confident at this stage the chance of any spread into the community is very low, as long as people take the sensible precautions".

Clark says "if anyone is feeling unwell they shouldn't go to a big public event" and they should self-isolate. 

Coronavirus: First case of virus in New Zealand

The person - who is in their 60s - is in a stable and improving condition in Auckland City Hospital, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said.

They are a citizen of New Zealand who had been to Iran and flown back to New Zealand via Bali. 

Ardern said New Zealand's pandemic plan was now being fully put into place.

"It has been through good care and good management that New Zealand has gone through such a long period of time without having a case arriving on our shores," Ardern added.