Chris Hipkins’ statement to those who toss their positive test results in the trash during COVID-19.

Hipkins advises anyone who tests positive to disclose their findings and complete the self-isolation period, which will be reduced from ten to seven days starting Saturday. “If you throw away a positive test result, you’re putting the health and wellness of everyone around you in jeopardy,” Hipkins says. COVID-19 has infected 742 patients in hospitals, with 19 of them in intensive care (ICU). “They’re under pressure, just like the rest of the system, but that figure isn’t alarming in and of itself.”