A suggestion new covid cases at the border should be reported in a different way from a new case in the community

A couple who returned to the country from India on June 5 are the latest two to test positive - taking the total number of active cases in the country to five.

They also have an infant, who has not been tested because of their age.

University of Otago professor of public health Michael Baker says cases at the border don't affect our elimination status.

He says reporting cases we pick up in quarantine with testing or because they develop symptoms can give the wrong idea.