There are 208 new community cases today, a decrease on yesterday’s record high of 243.

Today’s new cases are in primarily located in Auckland (128) and Waikato (49), but there are also new cases in Northland, Lakes, Bay of Plenty, Hawke’s Bay, Wellington, Nelson Marlborough and South Canterbury.

There is also a case in Whanganui, which is not being added to the total as it was first reported as part of the Waikato numbers yesterday.

While the tally of new cases is down, the test positivity rate is up. Yesterday’s report saw 21,471 tests and 243 positive cases – a one in 88 result; today it was 16,873 tests and 208 new cases: a one in 81 result.

Twelve cases are in hospital, with one in Rotorua in ICU. The average age of those in hospital is 59.

In addition, there are 19 new cases at the border.

Hello and welcome to The Spinoff’s live updates for Waitangi Day, February 6. Our comprehensive live update service is paused on weekends, but as usual we’ll be sharing the Ministry of Health’s 1pm update as soon as it comes to hand.

Yesterday 243 new community cases were recorded – the highest daily total since the pandemic began. The largest previous total was 222 at the height of the delta outbreak last year.