We could be waiting a little bit longer, to know if the short, sharp lockdown is bringing the Covid-19 outbreak under control

New Zealand now has at least 148 cases in the community.

The Ministry of Health has also identified more than 15-thousand contacts and more than 450 visits to almost 350 locations of interest -- with Farmers Westfield Albany being added to the list this morning.

Canterbury University covid modeller Michael Plank says more contacts will be identified, but it will take time.

He says we do have to be patient, as he knows contact tracers are working as hard as they can.

Meanwhile, Otago University's Michael Baker says he's concerned that a staff member at Middlemore Hospital's Emergency Department has tested positive for Covid-19.

However, health officials say the risk to the public remains low as the person is fully vaccinated, and showing no symptoms.