New Zealand authorities search for Covid-positive quarantine escapee

Hunt for person who asked to check on pet at home comes as Covid minister says daily case numbers could reach the high hundreds'

New Zealand officials are searching for a Covid-positive escapee, who allegedly absconded from quarantine after being allowed home to check in on a pet.

The person had requested to return home to retrieve personal items, care for a pet and lock their house in south-east Auckland, said Rose King, joint head of managed isolation and quarantine (MIQ). A security escort was set up to allow this to occur. They were given 10 minutes to do what they needed to. At the 10 minutes mark the security detail went to retrieve them and found the individual had disappeared from the address."