Three cases confirmed

The Matamata-Piako District has three cases of Covid-19 in the community – the district’s first community case since the Delta outbreak began in August. The Waikato District Health Board confirmed yesterday ntsINov29 that there are three positive cases in Waharoa, 5 kilometres from Matamata. And the district mayor is hoping the new cases don’t grow into a community cluster, as Matamata experienced last year. It was one of the biggest clusters in New Zealand – growing to 77 cases, including one death. ‘‘It’s a concern and makes people ‘think here we go again’,’’ Ash Tanner said. ‘‘Hopefully it doesn’t flare up.’’ Nine of yesterday’s cases have been linked to previous cases. One case, which remained under investigation on Sunday, has now been confirmed as Waharoa. Despite the news, Tanner said it was expected. ‘‘With case numbers growing it would be naive to think it wouldn’t happen,’’ he said.