The number of community Covid-19 cases has risen once again, with 981 recorded nationwide yesterday. That’s up from yesterday’s high of 810.
Most of the cases – 768 of them – were registered in Auckland, with the city remaining the epicentre of the community outbreak. In addition, 21 cases were confirmed in Northland, 82 in Waikato, 23 in Bay of Plenty, 12 in the Lakes DHB area, five in Hawke’s Bay, five in MidCentral, one in Taranaki, six in Tairawhiti, 12 in Wairarapa, six in Wellington, 14 in the Hutt Valley, two in Nelson Marlborough, four in Canterbury, one in South Canterbury and 19 in the Southern DHB area.
The rise in cases was despite a decrease in the number of tests taken yesterday, with 17,616 recorded in the past 24 hours (down on the seven day average of 20,732).
At the border, another 25 cases – including eight historical – were confirmed.
The number of Covid-related hospitalisations has also increased to 39, although none are in intensive care.
Today’s case numbers mean a move to “phase two” of the omicron response is likely in the coming days. That would see the isolation period for cases drop to 10 days and seven days for contacts. More information is expected at today’s 4pm post-cabinet press conference.
“Once again, the further increase in new cases today is another reminder that, as expected, the highly transmissible omicron variant is now spreading in our communities as we have seen in other countries,” said the Ministry of Health.
“That’s why as well as getting vaccinated and boosted, it’s vitally important that people also continue to do the basics well – staying home if you’re unwell, wearing a mask, physical distancing and scanning in using the NZ Covid Tracer app when you’re out and about.”
Yesterday, 21,588 boosters doses were administered despite the weather.
For more: Visit The Spinoff’s Covid Tracker page here