WELLINGTON, Aug 22 (NNN-AGENCIES) – New Zealand reported 21 new cases of COVID-19 in the community, bring the number in the current outbreak to 72, Director-General of Health, Ashley Bloomfield, said, at a press conference today.
Of the 21 new infections, 20 were in Auckland and one was in Wellington, said Bloomfield.
Among the total 72 cases in the community, 61 were linked to the Auckland cluster, and 12 were still under investigation, said Bloomfield.
The cluster of the current COVID-19 outbreak has been linked to a returnee from Sydney, who arrived in Auckland on Aug 7. Investigations are underway to find out the missing link between the returnee and the first case of the cluster.
The number of locations of interest, where community cases of COVID-19 have been reported has increased to almost 300, with 8,667 contacts having been identified, said Bloomfield.
Meanwhile, the government is encouraging the public to take COVID-19 vaccines and tests. More than 380,000 additional doses of the Pfizer vaccine arrived in New Zealand yesterday, said COVID-19 Response Minister, Chris Hipkins.
New Zealand went into nationwide Alert Level 4 lockdown, from Tuesday Aug 17. The lockdown will stay in place at least until 11:59 p.m. Tuesday Aug 24.
The Cabinet will make a decision on whether to extend the lockdown tomorrow, said Hipkins.– NNN-AGENCIES
