Lockdown Day 3: 83 new cases detected, NZ has now 451 total infected

All of Government Controller John Ombler and Director of Civil Defence Emergency Management Sarah Stuart-Black at spoke at the media conference. 

The officials provided an update on the national and health response to Covid-19 in the country on the third day of lockdown, announced 83 new cases in New Zealand bringing the total to 451 as of Saturday, March 28. 

Of the 83 infected, 78 are confirmed and five are probable cases. Two patients are in ICU. 

Fifty individuals have recovered, 12 people are in hospital with Covid-19 - three in Wellington Regional Hospital, two in Nelson Hospital, two in Whangarei Hospital and one each in Auckland, Waikato, Taranaki, Dunedin and Greymouth hospitals.

Laboratories are working to process and report test results as quickly as possible, average daily test number over a 7 day period is 1613, Stuart-Black says.

Total number of confirmed and probable cases in New Zealand now 451, with overseas and travel and links to confirmed cases still being the most significant infection path.

More than 2500 retired health workers have signed up to help with the Covid-19 response.

All of Government controller John Ombler says most people are following the nationwide lockdown rules.

There have been isolated incidents of people congregating and they have been warned by the police, he says.

Ombler says he has heard reports of New Zealanders who have arrived back in the country and in self-isolation at hotels without food, and that's not good enough.

If you have symptoms of the coronavirus, call the NZ Covid-19 Healthline on 0800 358 5453 (+64 9 358 5453 for international SIMs) or call your GP - don't show up at a medical centre.

More to come.