New Zealand considers freight as possible source of new coronavirus cluster

[SheltieLover]

https://mobile.reuters.com/article/amp/idUSKCN25801P

FILE PHOTO: New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern speaks during a joint press conference held with Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison at Admiralty House in Sydney, Australia, February 28, 2020.
REUTERS/LOREN ELLIOTT
WELLINGTON (Reuters) - New Zealand officials are investigating the possibility that its first COVID-19 cases in more than three months were imported by freight, as the country's biggest city plunged back into lockdown on Wednesday.

The discovery of four infected family members in Auckland led Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern to swiftly reimpose tight restrictions in the city and social distancing measures across the entire country.

The source of the outbreak has baffled health officials, who said they were confident there was no local transmission of the virus in New Zealand for 102 days.

More at link.

[uponit7771]

1. freight from US based company, 4 people got CV19 in NZ and shut down the whole country

[SheltieLover]

2. Did they identify types of products

Food?

Ty!

[uponit7771]

3. No, Americold is a refrigeration company.

[SheltieLover]

5. Ty!

I know I've read food packages kept in fridge or freezer preserve virus!

[meadowlander]

4. He worked in a refrigerated warehouse

so they think the Covid possibly could have survived on the packaging. Yes, it was a food distribution company.

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12356103

Comments from the president of the company: "he handled frozen food that was destined for grocery retailers and food service companies.

However, he would have been wearing PPE gear and gloves as part of his handling of those products. He would also have been wearing cold temperature clothing, like a freezer jacket and pants, and possibly a beanie.

In addition to the PPE Winnall said all of the items the man would have handled come with several layers of packaging that are removed at various stages. That means the goods consumers pickup off the shelves are in wrapping that hasn't been touched by anyone in the coolstore.

"So in my opinion transmission (from him to consumers) is improbable"."

[SheltieLover]

6. Ty!

Scary!

[beachbumbob]

8. limiited studies have all indicated that cold prolongs the "life" of this virus

and why it can be spread by packaging BUT remains to be seen in this case. Its another data point that needs lots of looking into. I know I wipe off ALL packaging when I make purchases