Parents of students at Auckland's Westlake high schools have been sent a letter as the second case of coronavirus is confirmed in New Zealand.

On Wednesday, the Ministry of Health confirmed a woman in her 30s who had flown from Italy, via Singapore, to Auckland has been diagnosed with the virus.

Her children attend both Westlake Girls High School and Westlake Boys High School on the North Shore.

MONIQUE FORD/STUFF Experts agree that the most effective way of protecting ourselves from infectious diseases like coronavirus is through effective handwashing.

The letter, sent by Auckland Regional Public Health Service, confirmed the news.

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"While this is concerning for everyone, there is no risk to students, staff or others at the schools."

The letter said the whole household was in isolation at home, but the two students have not been infectious while at school, and are not considered infectious now.

"The children are completely well and have no symptoms," the letter read.

"They are now staying home as a precaution, in case they develop the disease in the future. The parents have not visited the schools."

ZIZI SPARKS/STUFF Auckland Regional Public Health Service said there is no risk to students who attend Westlake Girls High School and Westlake Boys High School.

ARPHS said the disease is managed like other infectious diseases such as mumps.

"There will be high levels of anxiety amongst parents and students, and there will be commentary in social and other media.

"Please understand that people are not considered at risk if they have been close to a contact – as the contact does not have the disease. Contacts of contacts do not have to take any action such as isolating themselves."

ROSS GIBLIN/STUFF Director-general of health Dr Ashley Bloomfield announced the second case of coronavirus in New Zealand on Wednesday.

The letter urged parents to explain to their children that the woman's children do not have Covid-19 and they have not exposed anyone to the virus.

"Please ask them not to post any information on social media as this could lead to bullying."

ARPHS reassured that there is no risk to the school communities from the case.

Education Minister Chris Hipkins said the second confirmed case of the virus was "no cause for alarm" for schools.

"The schools the two students [of the infected woman] attended have this at hand. There's a very, very low probability of the virus being transmitted at these schools and neither of the students are showing symptoms."



At the moment, Hipkins said there would be "no justification" to close any schools.

"The risk is low," he said.

The Ministry of Health director-general of health Dr Ashley Bloomfield said the woman's partner, who travelled with her from overseas, is also showing symptoms. Results of his test for the virus are expected back today.

The woman had travelled on Air New Zealand flight NZ0283 from Singapore to Auckland on February 25. Other passengers on the flight who were sitting within two rows of the woman are being contacted.

The woman also took two domestic flights from Palmerston North and Auckland and back again on March 2. Contact will be made with people on these flights as well.

The flights were Air NZ Flight 5103, from Auckland to Palmerston North, which departed around 8am, and Air NZ flight 8114, returning around 2.30pm the same day.

Two medical centres are also being contacted for possible contact with the woman – as well as Westlake Boys High School and Westlake Girls High School.