Waikato Hospital says two of their nurses have tested positive for COVID-19.

The Waikato District Health Board says the nurses were stood down immediately on developing symptoms. They work in the same ward.

Waikato DHB chief executive Dr Kevin Snee says the hospital is taking all precautions.

'The staff acted in line with DHB policy to stand down if they are unwell. However, there is a very small risk of transmission even in those without symptoms and we have therefore taken a very precautionary approach.

'Staff who were working on that ward during the previous week (March 31 to April 6) have been stood down as we obtain more information regarding the nursing movements to enable us to return those staff where there is no risk back to the workforce as quickly as possible.”

The ward provides general medical services, mostly for older people. There are no COVID positive patients in the ward at present.

The DHB has informed all staff and has discussed the situation with all of our affected inpatients and, where appropriate, their family members.

'The staff on the ward have displayed great resilience and professionalism in dealing with this issue and we thank them for their openness and understanding. We expect to have many of them resume work in the next few days.” Kevin says.