New Zealand’s COVID-19 streak could be over as a returning overseas traveller tests positive after leaving hotel quarantine.
New Zealand health authorities are urgently investigating whether the case has resulted in community transmission.
Health Minister Chris Hipkins said the woman in her 50s tested negative twice whilst in hotel quarantine and therefore met the requirements for release, but then tested positive after experience symptoms.
He said the health authorities do not know the origin or the strain of the infection, but genome testing is currently underway.
The country’s health chief, Ashley Bloomfield, said the woman had returned from the Netherlands where she was with family who, at the time, did not have the virus, but have since tested positive.
