Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has been deemed a close contact of a positive Covid-19 case, and has entered self-isolation in line with Ministry of Health advice.
The exposure event took place on Saturday January 22 during flight NZ8273 from Kerikeri to Auckland.
Flight NZ8273 has been added to the Ministry of Health website as a location of interest on Saturday evening.
Whole genome sequencing for the case has been requested with an expected result on Sunday. The result is expected to indicate that the case has been infected with the Omicron variant and the public health response reflects this.
All other passengers on board NZ8273 are also deemed close contacts and are required to self-isolate, get tested immediately and remain in isolation for ten days following their exposure.
They will also need to follow further isolation and testing requirements provided by public health officials. They can record their exposure online or call Healthline on 0800 358 5453 so contact tracers can get in touch.
People who have been in contact with close contacts are not required to take any action.
The Prime Minister is asymptomatic and is feeling well. In line with Ministry of Health advice she will be tested immediately today, Sunday January 30, and will isolate until Tuesday.
The Governor-General and members of her staff were also on board and are following the same isolation instructions.
The Prime Minister and Governor-General were in Northland undertaking advance filming at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, at the invitation of the Waitangi National Trust for the Waitangi Day broadcast.
On Saturday the Ministry of Health is reporting 97 new community cases in NZ and 58 new cases identified at the border.
Of the new community cases, 61 are in Auckland, one in Northland, 14 in Waikato, three in Tairawhiti, eight in Bay of Plenty, seven in Lakes and three in Hawke's Bay.
There are seven cases in hospital, with two in North Shore, two in Middlemore, one in Auckland and two in Rotorua. There are no cases in ICU or HDU.
To stay updated on locations of interest click here
5 comments
This is fantastic news.
Posted on 30-01-2022 08:30 | By TheCameltoeKid
Just made my day. Awesome.
RATs PM
Posted on 30-01-2022 09:42 | By Kancho
Well if RATs were available everywhere then all passengers could take a pre flight test. They could all have N95 masks . But wait this is not possible as no supply or short supplies or even commandeered supplies.. Even school kids in the UK are self testing twice a week with rapid antigen tests, it's child's play. Again we are too slow and waiting , even pinching the businesses RATs kits is pathetic. We have know from October Omicron was inevitable. No drugs to lessen the infection widely used elsewhere, the lowest ICU beds in the OECD. RATs should have been available to everyone a lot of last year like so many countries. This morning I read of vital surgeries delayed because hospitals already struggling. Covid death rate doesn't mention those dying because of it, not of it.
NZ cant afford isolation
Posted on 30-01-2022 12:16 | By an_alias
NZ business can't afford to isolate people without reason, we have need RAT test for over a year. Less than useless is our govt, the only people who can afford this are bureaucrats who isolate on the tax payer.
I bet...
Posted on 30-01-2022 13:55 | By morepork
...she had no trouble getting a N95 mask... Irony notwithstanding, hope she proves to be Covid free...
Isolation
Posted on 30-01-2022 14:35 | By wtf
All other passengers have to self isolate, get a test and stay isolated for 10 days following exposure. Jacinda only is staying in isolation until Tuesday. Did I read that right and if so what is the difference between Jacinda and the other travellers on the same flight. Or is there something I am not understanding about isolating.
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