New Zealand’s latest COVID-19 outbreak which plunged the nation back into lockdown may be at risk of spreading further if the virus is travelling on frozen food.
A cold storage facility, called Americold, where an infected man worked is set to undergo testing for COVID-19, amid fears the virus survived on refrigerated freight sent from overseas and then spread to staff.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern made the drastic move to force New Zealand back into lockdown on Wednesday after new four COVID-19 cases emerged.
Since then, another four probable cases – and one confirmed in a high school student – have been found.
Health experts are still trying to figure out the cluster began after 102 days without a single case of community transmission.
They are using genome sequencing – looking at the genetic material, or DNA, of an organism – to track the source of the infection.
One of China’s top epidemiologists, Wu Xunyou, warned the virus could survive up to three months on frozen food packaging, increasing fears it may have travelled across the country.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern made the drastic move to force the country back into lockdown (pictured, a barista in Auckland wearing a face mask on Thursday)
People queue outside a supermarket in Henderson, Auckland, on Wednesday after restrictions were reintroduced (pictured)
He issued the warning in June, after the virus was transmitted on chopping boards used for imported salmon.
‘We do know from studies overseas that, actually, the virus can survive in some refrigerated environments for quite some time,’ Director general of health Ashley Bloomfield said on Wednesday.
‘We start by looking at all the options and ruling then out, and that’s the position we’re in at the moment.’
Tests have not shown credible evidence backing the claim the virus can survive on frozen food itself.
Police question drivers as they head in and out of Auckland on SH1 north of Wellsford on Wednesday (pictured) amid new Stage Three lockdown
The race is on to track the source as the number of cases continues to grow, with a student at Mt Albert Grammar School testing positive for the disease on Thursday.
Health authorities are still awaiting the test results for another four ‘probable’ cases of coronavirus – three adults and a teenager – linked to a family cluster.
The government has been scrambling to control the outbreak, they are rushing to test about 50,000 people by the end of the week to stop the virus from spreading further throughout the community.
Auckland, the city with the largest population, was placed under Stage Three lockdown on Wednesday while testing got under way.
A police officer wearing a mask gets his morning coffee from The Store in Kohimarama as Auckland wakes to a return to Stage Three lockdown (pictured on Thursday)
Two women wearing face masks and carrying toilet paper walk on a street in downtown Auckland, New Zealand (pictured on Wednesday night)
People line up in front of a supermarket in downtown Auckland, New Zealand as lockdown began (pictured on Thursday)
The move has forced families to stay-at-home for 72 hours.
The rest of the country was placed under Stage Two restrictions – mandating social distancing and limits on the size of gatherings.
All aged care facilities will close their doors to everyone but staff from Wednesday to keep those residents safe.
‘This is tough for people, but it’s necessary. We need to protect the most vulnerable,’ Ms Ardern said.
Ms Ardern also urged residents in Auckland to wear a mask or face covering when out in public.
‘If you are in Auckland, please cover your face if you leave home – masks or a bandanna is fine,’ she said.
The new outbreak has baffled authorities who were certain the country had eliminated the virus.
People wearing face masks walk on a street in downtown Auckland, New Zealand (pictured on Wednesday night)
A man wearing a face mask is seen in downtown Auckland, New Zealand on Wednesday (pictured)
Residents in Rotorua, 230km south of Auckland, have been told to remain on high alert after a woman in her 20s who tested positive as part of the family cluster visited the city for a holiday earlier this month.
She stayed at the Waiora Hotel from Aug 8-11 and visited the Skyline Gondola Luge on August 8.
Ms Ardern said those required to stay home will be notified through their employers, contact tracing or an announcement via a public platform.
Businesses and services have also been ordered to place a QR code for the COVID tracer app prominently at all entrance points within the next week.
Ms Ardern has ordered anyone flying out of Auckland to wear a face mask.
All aged care facilities in New Zealand were closed to everyone except staff and essential deliveries from midday Wednesday.
The nation had been the envy of the world for its handling of the COVID-19 crisis, with Monday marking 101 days without a single case of community transmission.
New Zealanders had been enjoying the return of their usual freedoms after an autumn lockdown proved effective in eliminating the deadly virus.
On Tuesday night, they were told those freedoms would be put on hold.
Psychologist Jacqui Maguire said Kiwis would be experiencing a range of emotions, including ‘anxiety, fear, anger and disappointment’.
‘Take that disappointment and use it as motivation to stick to the rules,’ she said.
‘Turning away from or suppressing your emotional reactions will only intensify them.
‘Hold compassion and kindness for yourself and others as you adjust, reach out and offer support to those around you.
‘Take one day at a time, practise your wellbeing strategies and hold the hope that we will get through this together.’
More than 100,000 people downloaded the Covid tracer app on Tuesday night.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern (pictured on Wednesday) made the drastic move to force the country back into lockdown on Wednesday after new COVID-19 cases emerged
Close-up of hand of a man holding a smartphone displays an emergency public safety alert text message informing New Zealanders of the latest restrictions during an outbreak of the COVID-19 coronavirus
A man wearing a face mask rides a bicycle on a street in downtown Auckland during lockdown (pictured on Wednesday)
The Prime Minister announced during a press conference on Wednesday morning that the main weapon in her government’s response would be testing.
‘We are taking a rapid response to break the chain of transmission through contact tracing, testing and the gathering of information,’ she told reporters.
Dr Bloomfield said action needed to be swift to avoid a horror second outbreak being witnessed in other countries around the world.
‘So, we have seen in other countries, and jurisdictions, like in Victoria, in Hong Kong and in Vietnam, where a resurgence occurs that it is incredibly important to act early.’