NZ keeping a close eye on Melbourne outbreak

A total of 11 Covid cases were reported in Melbourne overnight. Photo: MOH.

New Zealand officials are keeping a close on the Melbourne Covid-19 outbreak.

A total of 11 cases were reported in the Australian city overnight.

In a statement released this afternoon, the Ministry of Health says they are in close and regular contact with Victorian authorities about their just announced seven-day lockdown.

An update on quarantine-free travel between Victoria and New Zealand is expected to be released later today.

'The number of positive Covid-19 case numbers in Melbourne continues to rise and was at 34 at 1pm (NZ time) according to Health Victoria,” says an MOH spokesperson.

'The number of locations of interest being announced by Health Victoria is also continuing to rise and there are now 150 exposure sites across Melbourne.

'Given the time frames, it is crucial that everyone who has been in the state of Victoria since May 11 keeps checking Victoria Health's website detailing the locations of interest.

'There is now a direct link to this website from both the Ministry of Health homepage and the Unite Against Covid-19 homepage. '

Anyone who has been at a location of interest at the specified time must immediately self-isolate and call Healthline on 0800 358 5453 for advice on when to get tested.

Anyone in New Zealand who has been in the wider Melbourne area since May 11 who develops symptoms while in New Zealand, should also ring Healthline and arrange to get tested.

Anyone who has been in the Whittlesea local government area since May 11 should ring Healthline for advice.

'Given this increased risk, it's critically important everyone keeps a record of where they've been by scanning QR codes or keeping a manual diary of their movements,” says Ministry of Health Director-General Dr Ashley Bloomfield.

'It can help contact tracers quickly find potential close and casual contacts if there is a positive Covid-19 case here in New Zealand.

'And of course, anyone with Covid-19 symptoms should isolate, be tested and remain isolated until they receive their test results,” he says.

Meanwhile, in New Zealand, there are no new cases of Covid-19 to report in the community in New Zealand today.

There is one new case to report in recent returnees in managed isolation facilities since the Ministry's last update yesterday.

Two previously reported cases have now recovered.

The seven-day rolling average of new cases detected at the border is two.

The total number of active cases in New Zealand today is 21.

The total number of confirmed cases is 2314.

Since January 1, there have been 64 historical cases, out of a total of 498 cases.

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