Covid-19 update: 11 new community cases today

There are 11 new cases of Covid-19 in the community today, Director-General of Health Ashley Bloomfield says.

There are 11 new cases of Covid-19 in the community today, Director-General of Health Ashley Bloomfield says.

Director-General of Health Ashley Bloomfield. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone

This afternoon, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said genome sequencing shows the Auckland outbreak is linked to a person who travelled to New Zealand from NSW on a managed red zone flight. That person returned a positive day one test on 9 August and was transferred to Middlemore Hospital on 16 August, she said.

Officials are now investigating staff at the Crown Plaza MIQ facility and Jet Park quarantine hotel.

They do not believe the virus slipped into the community via Middlemore Hospital.

Meanwhile, new locations of interest have been revealed for Auckland, including two cinemas, a service station and a supermarket.

And this afternoon, over 1000 new people have been deemed close contacts of a Covid-19-positive case who visited SkyCity Auckland’s main casino gaming floor on the weekend.