Testing of Queenstown's wastewater for traces of Covid-19 has returned a weak positive result.

The Ministry of Health revealed this afternoon that weak positive results were returned from tests of wastewater in Queenstown, Wellington, Christchurch and Rotorua.

But subsequent testing has been undertaken from which Queenstown and Wellington have returned negative results.

Further testing in Christchurch and Rotorua is underway.

The Ministry’s assessment of the results is that there is a low risk to the New Zealand community.

Director-General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield says: "The Ministry’s current assessment remains that the weak positive results are likely from recent positive cases in managed isolation or due to recently recovered cases who are not infectious but continue to shed the virus after returning home or while travelling.

"There is no risk of infection from COVID-19 in wastewater."

Bloomfield says wastewater testing serves as an early warning system in the fight against COVID-19, as it does in many other countries.

"When wastewater testing returns weak positives, it's essential that anyone in these areas with symptoms consistent with COVID-19 stay at home and promptly call Healthline (0800 358 5453) about getting a test.

"Any cases of COVID-19 need to be detected quickly in order to stop the virus spreading in our communities.

"This is especially important as we head into winter, as people may have the usual winter coughs and colds."

Bloomfield says everyone in New Zealand should also continue to use the NZ COVID Tracer app with Bluetooth turned on to keep a record of their movements so they can be recalled quickly if needed by contact tracers.

"Also please keep up the hygiene measures that are critical to stopping the spread of the virus – wear a face covering on public transport, wash your hands, and cough or sneeze into your elbow."

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.

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

Two previously reported cases have now recovered. The total number of active cases in New Zealand today is 24.

The total number of confirmed cases is 2,303.

Since 1 January 2021, there have been 61 historical cases, out of a total of 486 cases.

A previously reported case has now been reclassified as "historical” and has been added to the historical case tally.

Testing information

The total number of tests processed by laboratories to date is 2,095,421.

Laboratories processed 4,794 tests yesterday. The seven-day rolling average is 3,657

For all testing locations nationwide visit the Healthpoint website.

NZ COVID Tracer

NZ COVID Tracer now has 2,826,944 registered users.

Poster scans have reached 271,329,239 and users have created 10,175,911 manual diary entries.

There have been 588,670 scans in the last 24 hours to midday yesterday.