Coronavirus: New Zealand has another two new cases of COVID-19 in the community

New Zealand has another two new cases of COVID-19 in the community, says Director-General of Health Ashley Bloomfield.

The new community cases are all linked to the current outbreak.

That brings the total number of active cases in the community to seven.

New Zealanders were plunged into lockdown overnight after it was revealed a 58-year-old Devonport man tested positive for the Delta variant of the coronavirus.

It was then revealed this morning that a co-worker of yesterday's case is also infected.

Three contacts of the co-worker have also contracted the virus - they are an Auckland nurse, a 25-year-old teacher from Avondale College and a 29-year-old male. They are flatmates.

A 20-year-old and a 19-year-old are the two new cases.

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The wife of yesterday's case has returned a second negative test.

Genome sequencing has confirmed New Zealand's Covid-19 outbreak has come from New South Wales, Australia.

There is still no link between the community cases and New Zealand's border or managed isolation and quarantine facilities (MIQ).

New Zealanders are being urged to only leave home if needed and to wear a mask when they do.

New Zealand will remain in lockdown for three days, while Auckland and the Coromandel will stay in lockdown for seven days.