Mask production ramps up as COVID-19 numbers rise

Photo: Getty Images.

The Health Ministry today reported 78 new cases of COVID-19 including 5 probable cases.

That brings the combined total of confirmed and probable cases in New Zealand to 283.

Seven people are in hospital and 27 individuals have recovered.

Yesterday 2417 tests were processed, bringing the total number of tests processed to date to 12,683.

Anyone who has been tested is expected to be in strict self-isolation until advised of the result – which means effectively quarantining themselves from other members of their family.

The ministry is investigating several possible clusters:

Marist College in Auckland

the World Hereford cattle conference in Queenstown

a wedding in Wellington

a trip by a Wellington group of friends to the US

a contact with the Ruby Princess in Hawkes Bay

a rest home in Hamilton.

To address the urgent need for personal protective equipment by health workers and those working in essential services, 600,000 masks are going out to DHBs today.

Mask production in New Zealand is up to 200,000 a day, and the ministry is also sourcing masks and other equipment from overseas.

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