There are nine new cases of Covid-19 in Nelson and Tasman, all from the same household.
Cars waiting at a pop-up Covid-19 testing station in Nelson in December last year when a number of positive cases were confirmed in the city. Photo: Samantha Gee, RNZ
One case was recorded in today's official tally and a further eight cases - all from the same household, will be in included in tomorrow's numbers.
It had been more than a month since the last positive case of Covid-19 was confirmed in the region on 13 December.
Nelson Marlborough Medical Officer of Health Dr Alexandra Greig said health board was grateful the cases had been prompt in coming forward to get testing, which allowed for a swift public health response.
"It is a timely reminder for anyone with symptoms, no matter how mild, to get tested."
Public health officials are investigating recent travel to Auckland as the possible source of infection.
Testing had been done to determine the variant, but the results had not yet been returned.
Case interviews were underway and locations of interest will be added to the Ministry of Health's webpage.
Residents and visitors who travelled to the Nelson region or Tasman District in the last 14 days are asked to monitor the locations of interest and follow the instructions if they had visited one.
The Ministry of Health announced today that the isolation period for people with Covid-19 had been increased from 10 days to 14, due to the increased infectiousness of the Omicron variant.
Close contacts of positive cases, who previously had to isolate for seven days, must now isolate for 10 days.
The last outbreak in the Nelson region saw 23 people contract the virus in November and December, with the last positive case confirmed on 13 December.
The outbreak was split into two clusters, with 19 in one group and four in the other. All cases had recovered by January.
Testing centres will be open for walk-ins at Saxton Field in Stoke and at the Motueka Recreation Centre over the weekend and anyone with symptoms, even if they are vaccinated, is asked to get tested.
People could also get a test by making an appointment with their GP.
The locations and opening hours of testing centres can be found on the Healthpoint website.
