A coronavirus outbreak among hundreds of fishermen flown to New Zealand to bolster its fishing industry has prompted the country's largest daily increase in infections in months, authorities said Wednesday.
More than 230 Russian and Ukrainian fishermen were flown in from Moscow last week, with 18 of the crew members then testing positive for COVID-19 while in quarantine, New Zealand's director-general of health Ashley Bloomfield said.
The Pacific nation has almost eliminated local transmission of the virus, but regularly records small numbers of new cases in returned travellers.
The fishing cluster pushed the daily tally of new infections to 25, the highest level since April, sparking concern among officials in.
New Zealand has recorded over 1,500 cases and 25 deaths in a population of almost five million and has been widely praised for its handling of the pandemic.
Health officials said two new cases had also been linked to a port worker, who may have come into contact with a vessel now docked off Australia's east coast.
Broad travel bans remain in place in New Zealand and those granted exemptions - including the fishermen, who were classified as essential workers - are forced to quarantine for 14 days.
Dr Bloomfield said the new cases highlighted the threat of overseas arrivals.
"We cannot afford to be complacent. We are not being complacent at the border," he said.
The maritime sector has also come under scrutiny in Australia, where .
"It is becoming clear that ships arriving with COVID-19 on board is one of the weakest links and the biggest risk to our way of life in Western Australia," West Australia Premier Mark McGowan said Tuesday.
People in Australia must stay at least 1.5 metres away from others. Check your jurisdiction's restrictions on gathering limits. If you are experiencing cold or flu symptoms, stay home and arrange a test by calling your doctor or contact the Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080.
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