There are no cases of COVID-19 to report in the community in New Zealand today.
There are six positive cases of COVID-19 to report today in recent returnees at the border.
This number includes three of the confirmed cases aboard the Mattina container ship, which is currently quarantined in Bluff.
The remaining six confirmed cases aboard the Mattina, already announced by the Ministry this morning, are expected to be added to our confirmed cases tally in tomorrow's update.
One previously reported case has now recovered.
A previously reported case from 16 July has now been deemed as a historical case. It has been removed from our confirmed cases tally as it was reported as a historical case in their home country.
The number of active cases in New Zealand is 51.
Since 1 January 2021, there have been 99 historical cases, out of a total of 649 cases.
The seven-day rolling average of new cases detected at the border is five.
Our total number of confirmed cases is 2,466.
New border cases in New Zealand
| Arrival date |
From |
Via |
Positive test day/reason |
Managed isolation/quarantine location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 July |
Fiji |
Direct flight |
Day 6 / contact of a case |
Auckland |
| 17 July |
Fiji |
Direct flight |
Day 1 / routine |
Auckland |
| 18 July |
South Korea |
Direct flight |
Day 0 / routine |
Auckland |
| 18 July |
Mariner |
MS Mattina |
Surveillance testing |
South Port - Bluff |
| 18 July |
Mariner |
MS Mattina |
Surveillance testing |
South Port - Bluff |
| 18 July |
Mariner |
MS Mattina |
Surveillance testing |
South Port - Bluff |
Mattina update
As we reported earlier today, nine of the 21 crew members aboard the Marshall Islands-flagged container ship have returned positive results.
Eight of the nine confirmed cases are symptomatic. They are well enough to remain on board.
The ship is currently in a secure quarantine area of South Port in Bluff and all crew remain onboard, while health officials work to determine the next steps for the crew members.
Health officials will be closely monitoring the health and welfare of all crew members each on a daily basis as further decisions are made.
Health officials have determined that the only port member who had contact with the ship crew is the Southport pilot, who went aboard the ship as it entered the port.
Pilots are required to board vessels of this size when berthing. The pilot wore appropriate PPE and is fully vaccinated.
Our ongoing case investigation shows the pilot had some contact with three crew members, however all three have returned negative test results.
This means the harbour pilot, who has been self-isolating, is now not regarded as a close contact and will no longer be required to isolate.
As a border worker, this person is subject to the regular border worker testing requirements.
Playa Zahara Update
Daily health and welfare checks are continuing for all crew members who remain onboard the Playa Zahara in quarantine in Lyttelton.
None of the 16 previously reported confirmed cases from the Playa Zahara have been included in our case tally at this stage, as they remain under investigation to determine if they're current or historical cases.
Travellers from Australia
The pause on Quarantine-Free Travel from Victoria and New South Wales will be reviewed again on Wednesday 21 July.
Advice for recent travellers from Australia
Anyone who was in Queensland since 28 June is encouraged to check the Queensland Health website for locations of interest.
Anyone who was in Victoria since 8 July is encouraged to keep checking the Victoria Health website for locations of interest, with new locations continuing to be announced.
Anyone who was in South Australia since 9 July is encouraged to check the South Australia Health website for locations of interest.
People who have been at these locations at the relevant time are required under a section 70 notice of the Health Act
