2 individuals who traveled from PH are New Zealand’s new COVID-19 cases

Although these individuals traveled from the Philippines to New Zealand, it was not stated in the media release whether or not they are Filipinos. (Pixabay file photo)

After several weeks of not recording any cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), two individuals who traveled from the Philippines were confirmed to be the newest cases in New Zealand.

According to a media release by New Zealand’s Ministry of Health on Wednesday, August 5, the first case is a man in his 20s who arrived in the aforementioned country on July 21. He was transferred to the Auckland quarantine facility when he tested positive for coronavirus on the 12th day of his isolation.

The second case, meanwhile, is a woman in her 40s who arrived in New Zealand on August 1. She tested positive on the 3rd day of her stay and has been isolating at the Grand Millenium in Auckland.

Although these individuals traveled from the Philippines to New Zealand, it was not stated in the media release whether or not they are Filipinos.

The health ministry said it has been 96 days since they last recorded a confirmed coronavirus case acquired locally from an unknown source.

With the two new infections, New Zealand currently has a total of 1,219 coronavirus cases. There are 24 active cases in isolation facilities but none of them are receiving hospital-level care.

As of writing, the virus has claimed more than 700,000 lives across the globe.