Ministry of Health officials are continuing to closely monitor the situation in the United Kingdom, with the emergence of a new COVID-19 variant known as the B.1.1.7 strain.

The Ministry says the new strain has not been seen in any cases identified in New Zealand to date.

"Health authorities in the United Kingdom are in communication with other authorities around the world including New Zealand about the emergence of a new COVID-19 strain in the United Kingdom, known as the B.1.1.7 strain," says a statement from the MOH.

"The specific strain identified in the United Kingdom has not been seen in New Zealand cases to date.

"The Ministry of Health is confident New Zealand's current use of PPE, testing strategy and 14-day managed isolation for all arrivals is appropriate."

Meawhile, health officials have been advised by their counterparts in Taiwan that a New Zealand national who is based in Taiwan has tested positive with COVID-19.

"Officials advise this person has not been in New Zealand while infectious and does not pose a public health risk to New Zealand."

In today's media update, the Ministry says there are seven new cases of COVID-19 identified in managed isolation in the past two days.

There are no new cases in the community.

- One case arrived on 13 December from South Africa via the United Arab Emirates. This person tested positive following the onset of symptoms and has been transferred to the Auckland quarantine facility.

- One case arrived on 14 December from the United States. This person tested positive at routine testing around day 3 and has been transferred to quarantine in a facility in Christchurch. Further information has found this is an historical case and is not included in the total number of active cases reported.

- One case arrived on 15 December from the United States. This person tested positive at routine testing around day 3 and has been transferred to quarantine in a facility in Christchurch.

- One case arrived on 15 December from the Czech Republic via the United Arab Emirates. This person tested positive following the onset of symptoms around day 6 and has been transferred to the Auckland quarantine facility.

- One case arrived on 17 December from the United States. This person tested positive at routine testing around day 3 and has been transferred to quarantine in a facility in Christchurch.

- One case arrived on 17 December from the United States. This person tested positive at routine testing around day 3 and has been transferred to quarantine in a facility in Christchurch.

- One case arrived on 17 December from the United Kingdom via Qatar. This person tested positive at routine testing around day 3 and has been transferred to the Auckland quarantine facility.

Seventeen previously reported cases have now recovered.

The total number of active cases in New Zealand is 49. Our total number of confirmed cases is 1772.

The total number of tests processed by laboratories to date is 1,381,545.