New Zealand reports another 11 coronavirus cases as officials reveal a Westfield employee caught it on a BUS
- New Zealand announced 11 new coroanvirus cases on Friday, taking total to 105
- Nine are from community transmission and two are in managed hotel isolation
- Five of the community cases have been linked to churches in South Auckland
New Zealand has recorded another 11 coronavirus cases, as the country continues to battle its second wave of infection.
Of the new cases, nine are from community transmission and two are in managed isolation.
Five of the community cases are linked to churches in South Auckland.
New Zealand now has 105 active cases, most of which have been linked to the Auckland cluster which sparked the nationwide lockdown.
Ashley Bloomfield, the director general of health, told reporters on Friday a Westfield employee, who was of the new cases confirmed this week, may have contracted the virus on a bus.
The bus journey happened on August 12, before Auckland went into alert level 3.
Mr Bloomfield said that case highlights the importance of wearing a mask on public transport.
Two women wear face masks as they walk in Wellington, New Zealand, on Saturday (pictured)
A man wearing a face mask is seen in downtown Auckland, New Zealand on Wednesday (pictured)
The country, which is due to ease restrictions next week, will remain lockdown over the weekend as the number of cases continues to rise.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said Cabinet will meet on Monday to discuss the possibility of extending the lockdown.
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She said the decision to move levels would be based on advice from Dr Bloomfield.
'There is nothing to suggest we need to change our course and certainly nothing to suggest we need to elevate alert settings.'
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said Cabinet will meet on Monday to discuss the possibility of extending the lockdown
Dr Bloomfield said they will look at case numbers to see if there is pattern in those cases, whether they be connected to households, church or school contacts.
The island nation had been the envy of the world for its handling of the COVID-19 crisis until new cases emerged on August 11.
Auckland was thrown back into lockdown, or Level Three, to suppress the spread of the virus, having enjoyed 102 days without a single case of community transmission.
The lockdown had played a critical role in finding the outbreak's perimeter and identifying cases early, Ms Ardern said.
Nurses speak to people being tested for Covid-19 at the Northcote Covid-19 testing facility in Auckland
The rest of New Zealand has been placed at Level Two, which mandates social distancing and caps on gathering sizes.
The source of the fresh Kiwi outbreak is still yet to be determined.
New Zealand and Australian officials are collaborating over a possible link through a freight business with outlets in Melbourne and Auckland.
New Zealanders had been enjoying the return of their usual freedoms after an autumn lockdown proved effective in temporarily eliminating the deadly virus.
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