Coronavirus NZ: Auckland cold storage cluster grows by 13

[Klaralven]

New Zealand has recorded another 13 cases of coronavirus, with the majority linked to a cold storage company in south Auckland.

The cluster that sent Auckland into lockdown and the rest of the country into Stage 2 restrictions has now grown to 17, including four children aged between one and 19. It brings the total number of active cases in New Zealand to 36.

All the new cases are linked to the original four COVID-19 cases announced on Tuesday and the majority are linked to Americold, the cold storage company where two of the original cases worked and which believed to be the source of the new cluster. Three of the new cases are employees at Americold, while another seven are family members of those employees.

Two Americold sites in Mt Wellington and at Auckland Airport have been closed, with all employees tested. The company is a frozen food storage facility with branches in Australia, NZ and the US.

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/world/coronavirus-nz-auckland-cold-storage-cluster-grows-by-13/news-story/6bf5509df80b893d693c1aa7efb7d89a

[LisaL]

1. So the virus traveled in on one of the packages?

So much for it's not really transmitted through packaging.

[Klaralven]

2. Possibly. Or if a worker had it, the cold, moist, stagnant air lets him infect others more readily.

Either way, there have been a lot of clusters associated with refrigerated/frozen food processing and handling.

[LisaL]

6. But where would first worker get it if not from the packaging?

New Zealand didn't have community transmission for a 100 days, until this cluster showed up. I think it's highly suspicious that the cluster originated in a faculty that gets refrigerated packages from other countries where covid is out of control (like US).

[SheltieLover]

3. I've read that

Packages refrigerated or frozen will not break down the virus because of the cold. (Before this became news.)

I'm very careful with mine!

[Klaralven]

4. The risk will depend on what part of the packaging is contaminated

The retail packages come in cardboard cartons which are likely stacked on pallets and wrapped in plastic.

Hopefully, New Zealand's tests will identify which layer of packaging was contaminated.

[SheltieLover]

5. Ty!

I'll bet it is on the plastic! That's my guess.

[Wellstone ruled]

7. China announced this AM

that Chicken Wings from Brazil were contaminated with Covid. Been five or so Decades since my Bio Chem Lab days,but we were able to find Transmission of Protein Biological's on Onions,Pork and Chicken as well as Fish. We found some transmission on Processed(ground or chopped) beef. Our Studies were never allowed to see the light of day .

[SheltieLover]

8. 😰

Ty for sharing.

[Wellstone ruled]

9. BTW,this is

China's second announcement about contaminated imported product. Previous was about Fish and Pork. Protein encapsulated biological's have a adheashen much like glue,and will adhere to other protein surfaces like certain vegetables and of course fresh fish and especially Poultry followed by Pork.

Pig Skin is used for Burn Grafts,and we know biological's from Pigs have known to travel to Humans. Oft times Poultry can become the Intermediary host. And can be a reversal of contamination roles.

[SheltieLover]

10. Ty!

My take away: continue to wash hands & continue cooking the hell out of food. 👍

[Wellstone ruled]

12. That is the best advice going at the present time.

Hand washing is job one when returning from any type of Public contact. Hand washing is also number one when handling any fresh meat or fish as well as Onions and leafy veggies.

This Covid seems to be Mutating,which protein coated Bio's tend to do,and any type of magic bullet developed today,most likely will not work a month from now.

[SheltieLover]

13. Tyvvvm!

[SheltieLover]

11. Would cabbage be likely safe

If several outer layers removed? Tyia!

[Wellstone ruled]

14. Should be,but

one needs to know the source and do rinse it before breaking it down. And put it in a Zip Loc after rinsing. Nice thing about any type of Vinegar dressing,it will neutralize most pathogen's traveling with it.

Been many a decade since the Lab Rat Days,one has to be extra Cautious no matter what. Cleanliness is still number one. Rinsing Produce is cheaper than the Doctor bill in the mail.