National Health Advisory Updates on COVID-19 - 27 February 27 Feb 2020

Case Definition update - 27 February 2020

Case Definition update - 27 February 2020

The Ministry of health's Technical Advisory Group (TAG) has this morning revised the case definition for COVID-19.  The TAG has updated its advice to include two categories for countries or areas of concern.

People who travel to New Zealand from or via (excluding airport transit) those countries listed in category one in the last 14 days should self isolate for 14 days and contact healthline.

Anyone who has travelled from or via all countries listed in both categories with clinically compatible symptoms should be considered a suspect of COVID-19 case and testing performed.

Category two travellers do not have to routinely self isolate unless they have symptoms and meet the clinical criteria.

Countries or areas of concern (as at 27 February 2020)

Category One: Mainland China

People who have travelled from or via from countries in category one in the last 14 days are required to self-isolate for 14 days and contact Healthline after they have left the countries listed.

Category Two: Hong Kong, Iran, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Singapore and Thailand.

People who have travelled from or via countries listed in category two who develop symptoms of fever, cough or shortness of breath should seek medical advice by first phoning Healthline's dedicated COVID-19 number 0800 358 5453 or contacting their GP including phoning ahead of their visit.