By 1news.co.nz and is republished with permission.
There are 744 new community cases of Covid-19 being reported in New Zealand today.
File photo. Photo: RNZ / Andrew McRae
It comes after consecutive record days that have seen case numbers surge.
Yesterday, 981 new community cases of Covid-19 were reported in the country.
In a statement, the Ministry of Health said the new cases today were in Northland (43), Auckland (535), Waikato (69), Bay of Plenty (8), Lakes (10), Hawke’s Bay (1), MidCentral (6), Taranaki (2), TairÄwhiti (7), Wairarapa (1), Capital and Coast (5), Hutt Valley (1), Nelson Marlborough (9), Canterbury (9) and Southern (30).
There are 19 new cases at the border.
And there are also 40 people with Covid-19 in hospitals at WhangÄrei (1), North Shore (4), Middlemore (13), Auckland (19), Wellington (1) and Christchurch (2).
None are in intensive care. The average age of those hospitalised is 59.
On vaccinations, 47,573 boosters were administered yesterday – which brings the total so far to almost two million doses.
The ministry said Whanganui DHB yesterday afternoon reached a vaccine milestone, with their eligible population now 90 percent fully vaccinated.
There were also 580 first doses given yesterday, 1233 second doses and 1466 paediatric doses.
In its 1pm statement, the ministry extended the deadline for the health and disability sector to have their vaccine booster until 11.59pm on 24 February, 2022.
“These new dates will also apply to any workers covered by the health mandated dates because of the work they undertake in Corrections, FENZ, Defence, Education and Police,” it said.
“The Ministry is continuing to work closely with the health and disability sector to support the booster uptake.”
On testing, the ministry said it was anticipating continued high demand for Covid-19 testing sites and requested people be patient.
“People should only get tested if they have cold or flu symptoms, if they have been at a location of interest, or if they have been asked to get tested by a health official.”
In the last 24 hours, there have been 21,070 Covid-19 tests processed.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced yesterday the country would move to phase two of the Omicron plan at 11.59pm today.
