The travelling “companion” of the first Northland case, who was located by Police in West Auckland last night, has now tested positive for COVID-19 and has been transferred to an MIQ facility.

The person is being interviewed and any new locations of interest in Auckland and Northland will be posted on the Ministry of Health website as they become available.

18 contacts have been identified as associated with the first Northland case.

Contact tracers have made contact with 17 of these individuals, one of whom is the travelling companion and four who are household contacts.

All 17 of these individuals have been tested. The remaining contact is being actively followed up by contact tracers and will be advised to get a test.

Of the 18 contacts identified, nine are in Northland, seven are in Auckland, one is in Wellington, and one is still to be determined. The Ministry of Health previously reported 19 contacts, however one of these was a double entry which has now been rectified.