New Zealand appears likely to avoid a fresh lockdown despite a new COVID-19 case being identified in the community.
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On Sunday, health authorities revealed a 56-year-old Northland woman had tested positive for the virus after completing her 14-day isolation after arrival in New Zealand.
The woman returned two negative tests while in her compulsory hotel stay, and was released on January 13 before travelling around the region with her husband.
By Monday morning, COVID-19 Minister Chris Hipkins was able to advise that two of the woman's closest contacts - her husband and her hairdresser - had returned negative tests.
"That's some good news," he told Radio NZ.
Mr Hipkins praised scientists for a round-the-clock genomic sequencing effort which confirmed the strain as the South African variant.
This was the same strain as another infected arrival staying on the same floor at the Pullman Hotel, giving confidence the infection took place between the pair, without a missing link.
As authorities gather more information around the case and its potential spread, they have decided to delay the release of 46 returnees at the Pullman Hotel to give them another test.
Returnees who have left the Auckland hotel in the past fortnight have also been asked to self-isolate and get tested, and all staff have been tested.
Health officials have rapidly contact traced the woman's contacts and movements, asking for people who have interacted with her to isolate and get tested.
"Her husband would without doubt be her closest contact. That coming back negative is a good sign. We'll know more as the day unfolds as to what the overall risk of this case is," Mr Hipkins said.
The woman has been praised by authorities for tracking her movements using the government's COVID Tracer app and reporting her symptoms to health workers.
The health department has released a list of the 28 places she visited on her travels since being released, including supermarkets, cafes and retail stores.
Mr Hipkins said new testing stations were being opened in Northland but the case wouldn't prompt the government to tighten its border regime.
"We haven't got any evidence that the 14-day isolation and two tests isn't sufficient," he said.
"Around 100,000 people that have gone through that process, not one of them has taken COVID-19 out into the community with them."
Australian Associated Press
