New Zealand health authorities have unearthed a new case of COVID-19 in the community, though officials are hopeful of possible containment of the virus.
On Thursday, Director General of Health Ashley Bloomfield announced an Auckland quarantine hotel security guard had tested positive to the virus.
The 24-year-old, who has yet to be vaccinated, was tested after feeling a sore throat.
As the man worked through Easter, lives alone, and has not visited any locations outside their home and work, it is possible they have not passed on the virus to anyone else.
The only other person he has come into contact with outside of their workplace was a fully vaccinated person they carpooled with.
New Zealand has prioritised border workers in its vaccine rollout, but officials are yet to identify why he has not received even his first dose.
Dr Bloomfield said the answer was likely to be logistical issues.
"I don't believe he has fallen through the cracks," he said.
"We're still finding out what the exposures might be of co-workers and of others in the community. Once we know that our approach will be precautionary."
The man's limited movements means the Ministry of Health has not named any locations of interest that would require other Kiwis to self-isolate.
Dr Bloomfield also revealed a large number of new infections in NZ's managed isolation facilities.
19 new cases, suspension on India arrivals
A total of 19 new cases were announced on Thursday, meaning there have been 43 new cases in the past three days.
Of the 19 new cases, all arrived via one route from the United Arab Emirates, with 17 originating from India, where cases are skyrocketing.
That has led to New Zealand slappping a two-week ban on arrivals from India to start from Sunday.
"Until recently, our seven-day daily average of cases in managed isolation have been sitting roughly two to three. This was obviously a manageable level of cases," Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said.
"Yesterday the rolling average was seven, a high we haven't seen since October last year.
"New Zealand is not immune from the virus (and) it is to the border we can look to manage this global spike."
With few exceptions, only citizens are presently able to travel to NZ, who must produce a negative test prior to their travel, as well as commit to a fortnight-long stay in quarantine on arrival.
Ms Ardern said the evidence was pointing to Kiwis abroad catching the virus in their transit to the airport before flying to NZ.
It is the first time during the pandemic NZ has banned citizens from a particular country coming home, which Ms Ardern said would not be permanent.
