One new cases of Covid-19 reported, 11 active cases in NZ

Dr Ashley Bloomfield addressing the media today said one new case of Covid-19 has been reported. 

The person is a woman in her 60s travelled from Air India flight AI1316 on June 18 and is now quarantined at Jet Park Hotel quarantine facility. 

Total active cases in New Zealand is now 11, and total confirmed cases in New Zealand rose to 1166. No recoveries reported.

Dr Bloomfield said that more than 20,000 people had been to the managed isolation facilities and there have been no community transmission reported. 

He added that since June 16, when the first two cases were reported after 24 days of zero figure, 45,000 tests have been conducted including 9174 tests yesterday. 

"However those two cases did draw our attention to a gap in the system ... we moved quickly and immediately in fact to remedy that and ensure those leaving isolation were also being tested in addition to completing their 14 days."

Dr Bloomfield and Health Minister David Clark fronted to the Health Select Committee this morning, after his ministry revealed late last night that 51 of the 55 people granted compassionate exemptions to leave isolation during level 1 had not been tested.

This afternoon, Dr Bloomfield said of the 55 people who were granted compassionate exemptions from isolation, one of them subsequently had their exemption withdrawn.

The ministry has been in communication with all 55 since they left isolation. Of them, 39 have returned a negative test, two had a test prior to leaving isolation and another two were tested the same day as leaving. 35 were tested later and 11 will not be tested either on the basis of health because they are a child or because they left the country.

One person who the ministry understands has not has a test has been referred to enforcement.

Minsitry of Health deputy chief executive Keriana Brooking said 34 of the 55 were granted an exemption to attend the funeral of a family member or grieve with family.

They either returned to the managed isolation facility or self isolated in an agreed location, and 16 applications were granted to isolate with a family member that was close to dying.

Those 16 returned to isolation each day.

As part of leaving managed isolation, all signed a health release requring them to follow personalised protocols, such as undertaking a test, travelling to an agreed adress without leaving the vehicle, wearing PPE including gloves and masks when spending time with the family member that is dying, complying with all health guidelines, regularly washing hands, coughing or sneezing into elbows, not attending supermarkets, petrol stations or shops.