He has returned high CT (cycle threshold) values, “which can mean it is either early on in their infection, nearing the end, or the case is historical,” the ministry said.
“An urgent repeat test is being carried out today to give health officials a better understanding of this person’s infection.”
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The new case comes after New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced two-way quarantine-free travel with Australia would resume at 11.59pm Wellington time (9.59pm AEST) on Sunday, March 18.
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She said specific flights into Australia could be suspended if there were local outbreaks and conceded both countries retained the right to close borders at short notice.
The other three active cases arrived from England, Egypt and Pakistan. Four of the 23 cases were deemed historical. India has the third-highest number of cases in the world, behind the United States and Brazil, and is experiencing a rising rate of reported cases. Of the nearly 100,000 cases a day in India, about half are in the state of Maharashta, of which Mumbai is the capital, so there s a “very active outbreak there”, Bloomfield said. Many cases experience the onset of symptoms pre- or during travel to New Zealand, Bloomfield said. On Wednesday there were seven new cases of the virus announced in managed isolation.
New Zealand halts all flights from India amid fears of in-flight infection 9news.com.au - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from 9news.com.au Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
However, Bloomfield said he was not 100 per cent sure of the specifics around the worker s lack of vaccination and was awaiting more information.
Genome sequencing of the case is underway to investigate the origins of the case. Results will arrive on Friday afternoon at the latest. The security guard has been isolating at home and will be transferred to the quarantine facility, Jet Park Hotel, on Thursday. Bloomfield said he understood the security guard lives alone and travels to work with a colleague in a private vehicle. The colleague has received two doses of the Pfizer vaccine and will be tested on Thursday.