Two new COVID-19 cases have been detected in New Zealand's quarantine and managed isolation facilities, Health Minister Chris Hipkins says.
There are now 23 active cases of coronavirus in the country, all in managed isolation hotels.
Both of the new cases announced on Friday tested positive while in managed isolation facilities after returning from overseas.
The first case, a man in his 20s, returned to New Zealand from India late last month. He tested negative on day three of his stay before testing positive on his day 12 test.
Friday's second new case is also a man in his 20s, who arrived in the country from the UK on June 27. He's been in managed isolation at Rotorua's Sudima Lake hotel.
It's now been 70 days since New Zealand had any community transmitted COVID-19 cases.
The two new cases on Friday bring New Zealand's total cases to 1192 - the number reported to the World Health Organization.
In the past day, three people have recovered from COVID-19 and no-one is in hospital.
Hipkins told Friday's coronavirus news briefing 2575 tests were processed on Thursday.
"I am advised and reassured that these numbers will continue to increase over coming days," Hipkins said.
Addressing earlier news that a third person had escaped managed isolation, Hipkins said health officials and the police would be using mechanisms such as reviewing CCTV footage and bank transactions to get a clear picture.
"There's a reminder that all people who enter managed isolation receive a health assessment on arrival which covers both physical and mental wellbeing."
