Fourth Nelson Covid case unconnected to existing cases

A Nelson brothel has been identified as a location of interest as health authorities try to contain an outbreak in the region.

Four cases of Covid-19 have been confirmed in the Nelson-Tasman region, the Ministry of Health has confirmed.

And the fourth case has been confirmed to be unconnected to the first three cases.

Nelson Marlborough Health Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr Nick Baker is urging people to get tested if they have symptoms.

Several new locations of interest have been published on the ministry's website.

They include Hardy's Bar & TAB on Thursday, Friday and Sunday - and Secrets Gentlemen's club in central Nelson over Saturday night into Sunday morning.

"Secrets is a private brothel in Nelson dedicated to providing you with titillating escorts and the most pleasant experience imaginable," its website says.

Secrets says it is open under level 2 but "masks must be worn".

"So far, initial case interviews have identified a small number of close contacts, who are also isolating with testing arranged," a spokeswoman said yesterday.

Several other Nelson locations of interest were earlier published with those who visited 623 in the City, Hardy's Bar & TAB, or Secrets Gentlemen's Club asked to self-isolate and get tested immediately.

The Ministry of Health urges that anyone at any of the locations during the times identified must self-monitor for Covid-19 symptoms for 10 days after exposure.

Increased testing capacity has been provided in response to the increasing case numbers.

All four cases are in isolation, with investigations into the source of infection ongoing. So far, initial case interviews have identified a small number of close contacts, who are also isolating with testing arranged.

The Nelson Marlborough Public Health Service would like to thank the cases for their co-operation; this has enabled health staff to determine a range of initial locations of interest across Nelson and Tasman.

These locations are listed on the Ministry’s website, with further locations expected.

People in the Nelson-Tasman region are asked to monitor the Ministry’s locations of interest page, which is updated regularly.

Anyone in the Nelson-Tasman region with symptoms – no matter how mild – are asked to please get tested, even if they are vaccinated - and remain isolated until they return a negative test result.