COVID-19: New Zealand records six border cases, no new community infections

New Zealand has reported six new border cases of COVID-19, the Ministry of Health said.

There are no cases in the community.

The Ministry of Health said of the six border infections, three are previously reported cases aboard the Mattina container ship in Bluff.

Marshall Island-flagged vessel the Mattina came into port on Sunday night and all 21 crew members were tested on Monday morning. The ship remains in quarantine and all crew remain on board.

"As we reported earlier today, nine of the 21 crew members aboard the Marshall Islands-flagged container ship have returned positive results," the ministry said in a statement on Tuesday afternoon.

"Eight of the nine confirmed cases are symptomatic. They are well enough to remain on board.

"Officials will be closely monitoring the health and welfare of all crew members each on a daily basis as further decisions are made.

"Health officials have determined that the only port member who had contact with the ship crew is the Southport pilot, who went aboard the ship as it entered the port," the ministry added.

The ministry said the remaining border cases are in managed isolation - two of whom arrived from Fiji and the other from South Korea.

There are currently 51 active cases of COVID-19 in New Zealand, the ministry said.

New Zealand's total number of confirmed coronavirus infections to date is 2466.