4. Question No. 4—HealthHon MICHAEL WOODHOUSE (National) to the Minister of HealthQuestion No. 4—Health4. Hon MICHAEL WOODHOUSE (National) to the Minister of Health: My question is to the Minister of Health whom I welcome to the portfolio. Did any records held by the Ministry of Health on 17 June contain details of whether all 2159 people who left managed isolation between 9 and 16 June received a test before they left managed isolation?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS (Minister of Health): I'm advised by the Ministry of Health: no. The process to compile that information began on Wednesday 17 June. All necessary information was available to the Ministry of Health on Saturday 20 June. The Ministry of Health then commenced a comparison from the Healthline database against the lab testing database to determine which individuals could be confirmed as having had a test. It's important to note that the problem has now been fixed and that all 2159 returning New Zealanders completed their 14-day isolation stay which is the safest way to ensure that there is no community transmission.Hon Michael Woodhouse: So is it correct to say that health officials had no idea who of those 2159 people were tested prior to departure and that the first question they are asked when contacted is not Please have a test." but "Was a test undertaken?"Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: That is clear from my answer that the Ministry of Health did not have that reassurance when those people left isolation. That is not an acceptable situation and it has been fixed.Hon Michael Woodhouse: In respect of "has it been fixed" are there still 367 people who have not been contacted to ask whether or not they had a test as at this morning?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: Those are approximately correct numbers. Of course they are changing as more people are contacted. But I do want to point out that these people all completed 14 days of isolation. They have now been in the community for more than 14 days and we have seen no evidence that there is any transmission within the community despite the fact that New Zealand has one of the highest rates of testing in the world relative to the number of positive results.Hon Dr Megan Woods: Can the Minister confirm that he has been informed by the Minister responsible for managed isolation and quarantine that since 17 June as well as now having direct batch data returned to the managed isolation facilities as well as the individualised test to notify of a negative day 12 test there is now double verification of that batch data taking place?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: Yes I can confirm to the House that the issues that were identified have been fixed and that very robust processes are in place.Hon Michael Woodhouse: Then is it correct to say that if those 367 people are not successfully contacted by the Ministry of Health the country will never know if they left managed isolation without having been tested?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: It is possible that some of those people won't be able to be contacted. Whilst the Ministry of Health will make every effort to ensure that they are contacted it is important to note that there is no evidence that any of the people who left managed isolation during that time have taken COVID-19 into the community.Hon Dr Megan Woods: Has the Minister seen any evidence or verification from health officials that a random homeless person wandered into a managed isolation facility before 17 June and has the Opposition provided any evidence to that effect?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: No. I'm afraid to say no evidence has been produced to verify that claim. I am of course willing to accept that at any given point in time.Hon Michael Woodhouse: In respect of that previous question how on earth would they know?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: Because the officials went to detailed lengths to check security camera footage to check the individual records and there was no evidence that the member's claim had any veracity whatsoever.SPEAKER: No. The member is referring to statements made in the House and the member can't say that they lack veracity. I'll require the Minister to withdraw and apologise.Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: I withdraw and apologise."