There are 16 new cases of Covid-19 in the community, spread across Auckland, Lakes, Hawke’s Bay and Wairarapa. One case has been detected on the West Coast, but it has been deemed historical, said the Ministry of Health in a statement.
Meanwhile, 42 cases of Covid-19 have been detected at the border.
Thirty people are in hospital with Covid-19, with most spread across North Shore, Auckland and Middlemore, plus one in Tauranga.
Update on omicron-positive MIQ worker in Auckland
All seven household contacts of the omicron-positive Auckland MIQ worker reported yesterday have returned one negative test result, said the ministry. They remain in isolation and will receive further tests.
Of the case’s 67 close contacts identified, 43 have already returned negative test results. The five close contacts previously identified in Taupō, who have all returned negative day five test results, have now been transferred to an MIQ facility in Waikato.
“Auckland Regional Public Health is continuing to work with MIQ staff to look for any possible routes of transmission between returnees at the Stamford Plaza and the MIQ worker. Additional testing is being arranged for MIQ staff at this facility,” said the ministry.”
Additional whole genome sequencing of other positive returnee cases at the Stamford Plaza is also being completed to provide further information for the source investigation.
A number of locations of interest were reported in connection with the worker yesterday, including two bus routes.
Speaking to media this afternoon, the prime minister, Jacinda Ardern, said it was “very encouraging” that household contacts had so far tested negative, but a number of crucial test results were outstanding, particularly from those who took the same bus as the case.
Community cases
Seven of today’s community cases are in Auckland, with six in Lakes, one in Hawke’s Bay – which was announced yesterday but is being formally added to the tally today – one in the Wairarapa and one on the West Coast. “Upon investigation this case has been deemed historical,” said the ministry of the West Coast case.
All six of the Lakes cases are in Rotorua, with three linked to previously reported cases, and the others yet to be linked. The case in south Wairarapa was already isolating when they tested positive. The greater Wellington region now has 13 active cases, including five in Wellington, three in the Hutt Valley and five in Wairarapa.
Waits for kids at vaccination centres
On today’s rollout of vaccinations for five to 11-year-olds, the ministry said there had been strong demand, particularly in Auckland. “We want to thank those who have been waiting at vaccination centres or holding for the 0800 number for their patience.”
“It’s encouraging to see this strong start to the rollout and extra resources are being deployed to the busiest sites to reduce queues as much as possible,” said director general of health Ashley Bloomfield in the statement.