Tauranga

Eleven of the 21 crew on board the Rio De La Plata are confirmed to have the virus.

Public Health staff took the test swabs in Tauranga from the crew as part of the requirements for entry for the vessel to its next stop - Napier.

The Ministry of Health said in a statement that it was likely at least some of the 11 crew were active cases of COVID-19 and further test results, expected today, would help determine how many of the crew were likely to be historical cases and no longer infectious.

Caroline Mason, who co-ordinated the Quilts for Vanuatu project, is in Tauranga for the next three days taking donations of solid sewing machines.

She said the machines offered a lifeline for women of the impoverished Pacific Island nation to make and repair family clothing and earn money selling crafts to tourists.