Covid 19 Coronavirus: One new case in managed isolation; Ashley Bloomfield tested

There is one new Covid case today in managed isolation - a man in his 20s who arrived in New Zealand on July 30 from Melbourne.

Director general of health Ashley Bloomfield says the man tested negative on day 3 but went on to test positive on day 12.

The man had been in managed isolation at the Grand Millennium and has now been transferred to the Auckland quarantine facility.

Bloomfield said he had not yet had a test for Covid-19 as he had been feeling well but on advice from Capital and Coast Director Strategy Innovation and Performance Rachel Haggerty, he had his first test today, at the Porirua station where he delivered the latest case numbers.

On getting a swab, Bloomfield confirmed he didn't have any symptoms but said he wouldn't expect anyone to do something he wouldn't do himself.

"Partly just to show people what's involved because some people do find it a bit unpleasant."

It has been 102 days since the last case of Covid-19 was acquired locally from an unknown source.

Bloomfield said anyone with a runny nose, sore throat, cough, cold, or fever should seek advice about getting a Covid-19 test.

After taking the Covid-19 swab Bloomfield said it wasn't painful.

"I noticed I was having a swab and as you can see it made my eyes water.

"Not painful, and way less uncomfortable than when fizzy drink goes up the back of your nose, which you might remember from when you were a child, I certainly do.

"Say yes to the test," Bloomfield said.

He said it was much less painful than tackling Billy Weepu (brother of former All Black Piri) on the rugby field a few weeks ago, which he still has the bruise to show for.

The latest Covid-19 case results shifted out into the field with an announcement taking place at a drive-thru testing station in Wellington.

22 active cases

There are now 22 active cases all being treated in managed isolation facilities after testing detected the illness in returning Kiwis at the border.

It brings the total number of those who have had Covid-19 to 1220.

Bloomfield said work was already under way on planning a Covid-19 immunisation campaign, although a vaccine was yet to be developed.

"We are not sitting idle, we have work under way to look at how we could deliver that vaccine."

Ora Toa clinical director Sean Hanna said unfortunately people were still turning down Covid-19 tests

"We don't have to look very far past our borders to realise Covid-19 is still here. It's I think part of our responsibility as New Zealanders that if we're asked to go and get a swab then we go and put our nostrils on the line."

Those undergoing tests at this centre remain in their vehicles while a swab is performed.

In recent weeks the Government has urged Kiwis to get tested if they are unwell or if a doctor requests a test.

As the Unite Against Covid campaign shifts gear to be ready for a second wave of community transmission, the Government is stepping up testing to a target of 4000 a day.

It says testing remains one of the best ways to ensure there was no undetected community transmission in New Zealand.

Flu vaccination campaign

This year a record number of influenza vaccine has been distributed - 1.77 million doses to date.

"This is particularly pleasing given the programme faced particular challenges from the Covid-19 pandemic which increased demand, disrupted international supply chains and impacted on distribution nationally," Bloomfield said.

"It is very satisfying that more people have been vaccinated than ever before, and there remains vaccine available now for anyone wishing to be vaccinated, and it is still worthwhile doing."

Bloomfield acknowledged there were temporary supply disruptions during the peak influenza vaccination season, but said that was a distribution issue rather than an overall shortage.