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The Ministry of Health has reported one new case of Covid-19 in Hawke's Bay, bringing the region's Covid case tally to 32.
The person is linked to a known case of Covid in the region. The Ministry is no longer publishing the variant as it is presumed to be Omicron.
Previously, a Hawke's Bay Airport Limited corporate staff member tested positive for Covid-19, after the airport was notified it was a location of interest on January 28.
Last Friday morning, the Ministry of Health notified that anyone at Hawke's Bay Airport on Monday, January 24, between 5.30am and 6.25am and on Tuesday, January 25, between 9.00am and 9.30am should self-monitor for Covid-19 symptoms for 10 days.
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If symptoms were to develop, they should get a test and stay at home until they receive a negative test result.
On Wednesday, Flight NZ5002 Napier to Auckland on January 26 was added as a location of interest. Passengers on the 6.15am flight were a close contact if seated in rows 7,8,9,10 or 11.
Close contacts should self-isolate, test immediately as well as on day 5 after exposure.
In a statement provided to Hawke's Bay Today, a spokesperson said on Friday morning a staff member who was on annual leave that day started to feel unwell.
That person immediately got a test and self-isolated with family. Results of that test were positive for Covid-19, and while it hasn't been confirmed, it is expected to be Omicron.
While at the airport earlier that week, the staff member had been following all safety protocols, including wearing a mask, sanitising and social distancing, and at that time did not feel unwell.
All staff who were considered close contacts of the positive case are self-isolating and working from home, and have all received negative results for initial tests.
They are currently awaiting results for their Day 5 tests.
All team members are currently asymptomatic.
Acting chief executive Stephanie Murphy said operations at the airport should not be impacted by the positive case.
"We've put a huge effort into contingency planning for a situation like this, including separating our corporate team from our Airport Fire Service and following Ministry of Health advice to ensure operations can be seamless if we had a case," Murphy said.
A Hawke's Bay Airport staff member is isolating after testing positive for Covid. Photo / Warren Buckland
"Unfortunately, within a matter of weeks positive cases will likely become the norm in our region. We are doing everything we can to ensure our team, other airport workers and passengers coming through the airport are as safe as possible, given the circumstances."
She said the focus was on ensuring the staff member and their family had all the support they needed to get through Covid.
"We'd like to thank local Air New Zealand staff in particular who have been incredibly supportive in ensuring seamless service at the terminal," Murphy said.
Hawke's Bay Today understands that two people linked with Elmwood House rest home in Napier have also tested positive for Covid.
Elmwood House was approached for comment but referred all queries to the Ministry of Health.
A staff member at Colwyn House rest home in Hastings tested positive for Covid on Sunday.
The staff member has since been isolating and the rest home enforced a no-visitor policy, which was expected to lift today, Heritage Lifecare chief executive Norah Barlow had said.
Barlow said the staff member had a limited number of close contacts.
