The Ministry of Health says there are no new cases of COVID-19 in the community today, and two new cases in managed isolation facilities.

Sixteen people have been identified as potential close contacts of the previously reported community case in Northland.

And of those, 15 people have returned negative tests.

A total of 157 staff from the managed isolation facility at Pullman Hotel have been tested, along with 192 guests currently in the facility.

Of those, 30 still have test results to come, and all others have returned negative results.

Contact tracing staff are following up with 357 people who departed the managed isolation facility between January 9 and 24.

"Of that number, 325 have been contacted, are isolation and have been or are being tested. The remaining former guests are being followed up today."

187 people received a push notification as a result of having scanned into one of 31 locations of interest.

A further location was added yesterday and is on the Ministry's website.

At this time 154 people have been identified as ‘casual plus' contacts, as a result of either the push notification or after speaking with Healthline following media publicity.

These people are being tested and are isolating until they receive their result, says the MOH.

The source investigation into how the Northland case was infected continues today at the managed isolation facility.

This includes reviewing CCTV footage at the facility and looking at whether the infection may have occurred from person-to-person or surface transmission, or airborne transmission, including possibly the ventilation system.

"We'd like to take this opportunity to again thank the tireless efforts of all staff working in managed isolation and quarantine facilities around New Zealand. Your frontline efforts to help break the chain of transmission of COVID-19 and keep New Zealanders safe and healthy are truly appreciated," says the Ministry.

Testing in the community

More than 1500 people were tested at community testing centres around Northland yesterday.

"Northland DHB informs us that the rate of testing per 1,000 people was greater for Mâori than any other ethnicity in Northland.

"The high demand at our COVID-19 testing sites may mean delays, and our request is to please be patient," says the Ministry.

Extra staff from Counties Manukau and a number of volunteers are working at sites around the Northland region to support the testing centres. Frontline staff are working hard to ensure everyone who needs to be tested gets a test as soon as possible.

"There is capacity to test everyone, who needs a test– but we need your help to get testing running quickly and easily."

-If you were not at a location of interest at the stated times and you have no symptoms you do not need to be tested

-If you were at the locations of interest at the times stated, you need to get a test, and remain isolated until you receive the result

-If you have symptoms but have not been to a location of interest stay home and call Healthline for advice

Testing centres around Northland remain open and free today for people who need a test

Case numbers

One previously reported case has now recovered.

The total number of active cases in New Zealand is 65. Our total number of confirmed cases is 1,934.