The Ministry of Health has received confirmation of an additional 13 positive tests to COVID-19 for crew from the quarantined fishing vessel Viking Bay.
Two crew had previously been reported as confirmed with the virus. All 15 affected crew have now been transferred to an on-shore quarantine facility in Wellington.
Five crew members remaining on board to maintain the safety of the vessel have returned negative test results to date. They will be subject to additional testing in coming days.
Of the crew who have now returned a positive result, 12 are regarded as being in the early stages of their infection. One has returned a result indicating either a very early infection or a historical infection.