28 September 2021
Paul Jones
By email: [FYI request #16489 email]
Dear Paul
Official Information Act Request: COVID-19 case count
On 24 August 2021 you sent a request for information under the Official Information Act
1982 to the Ministry of Health, who transferred your request to ESR on 31 August 2021.
Your request was as follows:
1) Provide a breakdown of "Confirmed Active" cases for the "Total since first NZ case" for
each of the categorisations used in the definition above being;
a) PCR validated Specimen, that was NOT weak positive,
b) PCR validated Specimen, that was weak positive and required second confirmed
sampling,
c) PCR validated Specimen confirmed with SARS-CoV-2 sequencing,
d) Significant rise in IgG antibody level
2) For all "Confirmed Active" cases for the "Total since first NZ case" provide a break down
of cases into the following groups;
a) Asymptomatic cases,
b) Symptomatic cases
3) For the Symptomatic cases at (2) provide a total count of the clinical criteria symptoms,
being;
a) fever (at least 38˚C)
b) new or worsening cough
c) sore throat
d) shortness of breath
e) sneezing and runny nose (coryza)
f) anosmia (loss of sense of smell) or dysgeusia (altered sense of taste).
Our response to your request: PCR validated Specimen, that was NOT weak positive
-
2537 cases that did not require a repeat PCR test
-
Note: the 2537 cases here is derived from 2698 – 161 (from (b) below).
PCR validated Specimen, that was weak positive and required second confirmed sampling
-
To look at the number of cases for which a second test may have been required to
confirm an active infection we have used a definition of a repeat test within two days
of the initial positive PCR test. Based on this definition there are 161 cases that have
a reported repeat positive PCR test within two days of the first positive test.
PCR validated Specimen confirmed with SARS-CoV-2 sequencing
-
Of the 2698 confirmed cases, genomes were obtained for 1803.
-
Note: whole genome sequencing is not used as a diagnostic test.
Significant rise in IgG antibody level
-
12 of the 2698 cases are reported as having a significant rise in IgG antibody level
between paired sera.
-
Note: serology is not being used as a confirmatory diagnostic test. All of these cases
were diagnosed with PCR test.
Asymptomatic cases
-
653 cases
Symptomatic cases*
-
2012 cases
-
* Symptomatic cases include 1911 cases who were symptomatic at diagnosis + 101
cases who were asymptomatic at diagnosis but later developed symptoms
Unknown
-
33 cases
Breakdown of symptomatic cases
Symptoms
Number of symptomatic cases*
Fever
921
Cough
1354
Sore Throat
829
Shortness of Breath
425
Coryza
814
Anosmia
519
Dysgeusia
21
* Symptomatic cases from (2) above, cases may have reported multiple symptoms.
Your right to seek a review You have the right to seek an investigation and review by the Ombudsman of this decision.
Information about how to make a complaint is available at www.ombudsman.parliament.nz
or freephone 0800 802 602.
Thank you for your request.
Yours sincerely
Jill Vintiner
Joint General Manager Health and Environment Group - Health
ESR