Update: Wednesday, October 6, 1:00pm
Not such great news today, 39 community cases, with 30 in Auckland and nine in Waikato. Better news is 38 of the cases are linked, and that is the only current unlinked case.
Sadly, one person died from Covid-19 in hospital. There are now 32 people in hospital with seven cases in ICU. As we move in the looser Alert 3 level change, it remains important for people to continue masking and social distancing practices, as well as scanning locations and checking locations of interest.
Better news with vaccinations rates, with 85% of Aucklanders now having first doses, and 54% with second doses.
Update: Tuesday, October 5, 1:00pm
An eventful days with the move to a modified Alert Level 3 from 11:59pm tonight. The main changes are a 3-step approach to ease restrictions:
Outdoor gatherings
Outdoor gatherings between 2 households can go ahead, with a maximum of 10 people attending.
Sport and recreation
You can travel throughout the Auckland region to do an expanded range of outdoor recreation activities. A maximum of 2 households can gather, with a limit of 10 people gathering.
Early learning centres
- Early learning centres can reopen to all children, with a maximum of 10 children in each bubble.
Today 24 community cases were reported, with 18 still unlinked from the past fortnight. An further 48 cases are expected in the next few days.
To date, 79% of the eligible population have had one dose and 45% have had two doses.
The Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced that a Covid vaccine certificate site is in test mode, with certificates ready towards the end of the year.
Update: Thursday, September 30, 1:00pm
A pleasing fall in cases today, with 19 community cases, reported, down from 45 yesterday.
Alert Level 4 will remain for another week. They are asking people in Henderson and Papakura to get tested as new suburbs of interest.
A free taxi service will be available from tomorrow for people needing transport to get their vaccine.
Update: Wednesday, September 29, 1:00pm
A bit of a shock jump today to 45 community cases, but it may not be as dire as it seems as 33 cases are linked, with 12 remaining to be linked. However, Dr Bloomfield says most are known contacts and isolating.
Health Minister Chris Hipkins says not the number but the nature and the characteristics of the cases that inform alert levels, and as the current clusters are concentrated in larger households, from time to time there will be “blips”. Two households account for 12 of the cases.
Nationally, 78 percent of the eligible population – 12 years and over – has had their first dose of the vaccine, while nearly half of the eligible population is now fully vaccinated.
55 percent of Māori have had their first dose, 29 percent their second, and for Pasifika peoples, 71 percent have had their first dose, and 40 percent their second.
“The 92 percent of over 65s deserve a particular shout-out for getting their first dose, 82 percent have had their second,” Chris Hipkins said.
Update: Monday, September 25, 4:00pm
There 12 new cases in the community. The number of active cases continues to decline, now at 211 and 965 people have recovered. We are making progress, says Dr Bloomfield, with many of the clusters now considered contained, with 4 active sub-clusters. The number of people needing to be hospitalised due to the younger age of most of the cases, however 112 have needed to hospital care, with 13 still remaining and 4 in ICU.
We reached a vaccine milestone over the weekend, reaching more than 5 million doses. About 1.8 million people, 43% of the eligible population are now fully vaccinated. In Auckland 82% of the eligible population have had their first vaccine.
Later this week Chris Hipkins will announce details of the self-isolation pilot. People interested in applying for the pilot must arrive in New Zealand citizens or be permanent residents and fully vaccinated, and they must arrive in New Zealand from 30 October to 8 December. Expressions of interest will open on Thursday.
Update: Friday, September 24, 1:00pm
Nine community cases today, with all cases linked.
Update: Thursday, September 23, 1:00pm
A drop today, which is always pleasing, to 15 new community cases. That brings the total number of cases 1123, but 861 people have now recovered. Most of the new cases are household contacts, with three unlinked.
Professor Shaun Hendry says we are on track to vaccinate 80% people aged over 12, and that it might be possible to achieve a vaccine rate of over 90% across the whole population. Prof Hendry said that if we used moderate public health measures and 90% than we can achieve population immunity.
Update: Wednesday, September 22, 1:00pm
A jump today with 23 new community cases today, but 22 are epidemiologically linked, bringing the current outbreak to 1108 , with 835 recovered.
As of 11:59pm last night 75% of the eligible population and 63% of the total population is vaccinated with a first dose, and 40% of eligible and 33% of total with the second dose.
Update: Tuesday September 21, 1:00pm
Welcome news with a drop in community cases, with 14 new cases today, with 13 of those cases are linked and most are household contacts already in isolation. One is in Whakatīwai.
However, Dr Bloomfield says the numbers will still bounce around and they would expect at least another 50 or so cases over the next few weeks based on the number of close contacts already in isolation but not yet testing positive.
At 11.59pm tonight, Auckland moves into alert level 3.
The Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern encouraged people to continue to keep getting testing, and especially in Clover Park, which is a new area of interest. A pop up test facility has been set-up at the Manukau Sports Bowl.
Jacinda Ardern also said that the maximum penalties for breach of Covid-19 regulations will also increase in November 2021.
In Auckland, 79% of the eligible populations has had their first dose but the PM set a challenge for Tāmaki Makaurau/Auckland to reach 90% by the time alert level 3 is up for review in two weeks. Numerous locations are available across the region.
Update: Monday September 20, 4:00pm
The Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says Auckland will move to Alert Level 3 at 11:59pm tomorrow, 21 September for at least two weeks, to be reviewed on Monday 4 October.
Our bubbles remain, you cannot visit other people, but you can make small additions to your bubbles now.
Householders in Northern Hauraki are being asked to stay home and self-isolate for five days while contact taking is done to identify the sources of the Covid-19 detected yesterday.
More businesses can reopen, according to Alert Level 3 rules. Contactless pickup and deliveries can now take place.
Update: Monday September 20, 9:00am
After several days of up and down but fairly consistent new community cases, the weekend brought an unexpected surprise which may change a level change today. A remand prisoner tested positive after returning to their family home from Auckland in the Waikato, and so have two of their household members who attended school on the Hauraki Plains. Most likely we will learn what impact this will have at the press conference at 4pm to announce if there will be any changes to Auckland’s alert level.
Cases through last week ranged from 13 and 11 on Thursday and Friday, to a 24 on Sunday, with six infectious in the community.
New locations of interest are still being added to Auckland, so remember to check these regularly.
Update: Wednesday September 15, 1:00pm
Not a big drop, but we’ll take it! 14 cases today, and all of them are linked. This brings the total to 983 cases so far.
We are also smashing the vaccinations with more than 62,000 administered yesterday, and the extra vaccines sourced from Denmark touched down in Auckland this morning. Lets hope this means we can hit the KFC next Wednesday!
For a sense of how well New Zealand is doing, this graph shows confirmed deaths of selected countries since June and New Zealand doesn’t even register on the scale. The effect of the Delta variant is clear in the upward surge.
Update: Tuesday September 14, 1:00pm
Good news today with a drop in community cases after yesterday’s spike. Only 15 cases today, with all cases household contacts. This brings the total cases to 970 overall, with 397 people recovered.
Dr Bloomfield says the good news is none of the new cases are unlinked. There now only 10 cases not epidemiological linked.
He encouraged everyone to continue testing if they had symptoms, especially in suburbs of interest.
The Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern continues to encourage everyone to get vaccinated. Aucklanders will reach 80% coverage of first doses within a week at the current rates. If you check Book My Vaccine, you may be able to move your booking forwards. Also no books is required at the drive-in centres.
Keeping up our hard work is the best way to stamp out COVID and keep New Zealanders safe. However, living with alert level restrictions can be tough, so if you, or someone you know, needs support, you can call or text 1737 to talk to a trained counsellor for free.
Update: Monday September 13, 4:00pm
Auckland will remain in Alert Level 4 for another week. The Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says despite the high number of new cases, only one remained unlinked. She says it is clear there is not widespread transmission of the virus in Auckland, but 17 cases remain unlinked. Alert Level 4 remains the best option to beat Delta and contain the virus at this stage. In principle, Auckland will move to Alert Level 3, next Tuesday 21 September.
The rest of the country stays in Alert Level 2 until next Tuesday as well.
The Prime Minister encouraged everyone to get vaccinated and to recheck their booking to see if earlier ones had opened up or to attend a drive-through vaccination centre.
Update: Monday September 13, 1:00pm
A big jump in community cases, with 33 new today and seven were infectious in the community. The cabinet meets at 3pm with a press conference at 4pm to announce an alert change but it looks unlikely to change. However 32 of the 33 cases reported today are epidemiologically linked. The one case yet to be linked is a person who presented to Middlemore Hospital on Saturday. There are seven others in their household, and all seven are included in today’s 33.
Remember to keep checking locations of interest, as there are still new ones being posted. And if you haven’t already, book to have your vaccination.
Update: Monday September 13, 9:00am
Community cases rose again over the weekend with 23 new cases reported on Saturday and 20 on Sunday, bringing the total to 922 overall.
In better news, hospitalised cases are dropping 18 people now in hospital, and 4 in ICU.
However, three of the new cases were people who visited Middlemore hospital, two woman and a 5-month-old baby. Contact tracing is now underway for these cases. Cabinet will decided today if Auckland moves to ALert LEvel 3 but at this stage it seems unlikely due to a number of unlinked cases.
Vaccinations are powering ahead, and a further 500,000 doses have been secured from Denmark. The latest data is 32.4% of New Zealanders are fully vaccinated, with 63.6% having one or more doses. Good work team!
Ass it seems likely we will be in lockdown for a wee while yet, the Wellbeing team have compiled resources to help you and your family get through. Here are some ideas for stuff to do with your kids and please feel free to email your own suggestions to us and we will add them in!
Update: Friday September 10, 1:00pm
Cases are still tracking down, with 11 community cases reported today, bringing the total to 879 in the current community outbreak. Cases in hospital have also decreased, at 27, with four people in ICU.
A woman who presented to Middlemore hospital later tested positive for Covid, and 36 people are considered contacts, including seven police officer.
To help meet the demand caused by the surge in vaccinations, extra doses of the Pfizer vaccine were sourced from Spain and arrive in the country today.
New locations of interest are still being posted, so ensure you check these regularly.
Update: Thursday September 9, 1:00pm
Good news as cases continue to fall, with 13 community cases today. This brings the total to Auckland 851 (256 of whom have recovered); Wellington 17 (nine of whom have recovered).
Update: Wednesday September 8, 1:00pm
Aucklanders will be relieved as cases continue their downward trend, with 15 new community cases today, bringing the total to 855 overall. The hope is that we could have a move to Alert Level 3 next week if this is maintained. Even better news is that 210 people have recovered, while 37 people remain hospitalised with six in ICU.
New Zealand, outside of Auckland, is in alert level 2, while Auckland will stay in level 4 until 11.59pm next Tuesday, 14 September.
The vaccination surge continues unabated, with more than 4 million doses administered: First doses: 2,662,131; second doses: 1,370,579
Update: Tuesday September 7, 1:00pm
Auckland community cases had a slight increase to 21 and hopefully will continue to decline, bringing the total to 841.
Apart from Auckland, the rest of the country will move to Alert Level 2 at 11.59pm tonight.
Currently 62% of the population has had one dose, and 32% of the population has had 2 doses of the vaccine. You can find out more about the vaccines here
Update: Monday September 6, 4:00pm
The rest of New Zealand, apart from Auckland, will move to Alert Level 2 from 11:59 pm tomorrow. People will be able to move through Auckland if they have reasons to travel.
Alert 2 will be adapted to the Delta variant. Face coverings are now mandatory inside most public venues. You can take your mask off in hospitality venues, but staff must wear face coverings.
Masks are recommended in schools but not required.
Scanning is now also mandatory in close contact businesses, with a limit of 50 in indoor gatherings. Outdoor spaces can have up to 100 people. Indoor facilities, such as gyms, now must have 2 metres of social distancing.
Dr Bloomfield reiterated that if you have any symptoms, please get tested wherever you are in New Zealand.
The next week is to ensure there is no undetected Covid-19 in the community anywhere in New Zealand and to ensure there is no leakage from Auckland, he says. Tighter testing will be carried out over the coming weeks to help stamp out this outbreak, including workers crossing the Auckland boundary from this Thursday.
Update: Monday September 6, 1:00pm
Promising news for Auckland as the case numbers continue to track down, with 20 new cases both yesterday and today, bringing the total overall in this the current outbreak to 821.
Of these, 40 people are in hospital with 6 in ICU.
The total number of locations of interest has also fallen to 122, and no unexpected detections in wastewater.
A press conference at 4pm will announce changes to alert levels for all of New Zealand except Auckland.
Update: Friday September 3, 1:00pm
Good news again today with 28 new community cases, meaning the trend downwards continues. Of these, 27 are in Auckland and one in Wellington, taking the total number to 764, with 33 cases now recovered.
Ongoing investigations have reduced the number of unlinked cases have fallen from 65 to 31, and that number is expected to fall.
The R number remains below one, which Director of Public Health Dr Caroline McElnay says means the trains of transmission are being broken.
Unfortunately 43 people are now hospitalised, with nine in ICU.
Again, continue to check locations of interest and get tested if you have visited one or have any symptoms.
Update: Thursday September 2, 1:00pm
Good news today as cases are trending down again with 49 new cases, bringing community cases to 725, of which 709 are in Auckland, and 16 in Wellington.
Northland will move to Alert Level 3 at 11:59pm tonight as planned. Auckland continues at Alert Level 4. Northern checkpoints will be set up and personal and business travel requires an exemption.
Dr Bloomfield says it seems that Alert Level 4 measures are working and based on data, they are 95% confident that the R is now under one, although cases numbers may bounce around still.
However, 42 cases are in hospital, and six are in ICU with three being ventilated. Dr Bloomfield says the growing number of people in hospital is reminder of the dangers of the Covid-19 virus.
He also urged all essential workers to stay home and get tested if they experience any symptoms, especially as the latest community exposure events occurred while visiting a supermarket. If you have been identified as a contact, you must stay home and get tested.
Update: Wednesday September 1, 1:00pm
There are 75 community cases, a rise from yesterday but still a decline from earlier in the week. This means there are now 687 cases in the current community outbreak, with 671 in Auckland and 16 in Wellington. Of these, 32 cases are in hospital and 8 people are in ICU.
As of last night, 3.5 million doses of the Pfizer have been administered. Around 54% of the eligible population have received at least one dose and about 1/3 of the eligible population have had two doses.
Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins continues to encourage everyone to get vaccinated, as he says it is our best way out of the pandemic.
He further advised that The Government is pausing putting out any new MIQ vouchers for a few weeks, to help elevate the stress currently in the system, and encouraged people who didn’t need to return from overseas to wait to let urgent cases have access to MIQ vouchers.
Update: Tuesday August 31 1:00pm
There are 49 new cases of COVID-19 in the New Zealand community today; all in Auckland. This brings the total number of cases in the community outbreak to 612. One previously reported case has been reclassified as a border case.
The total number of community cases in Auckland is now 597 and in Wellington it is 15.
Of the current community cases, 33 cases are in hospital – 25 are in a stable condition on a ward and eight cases are in a stable condition in ICU. Two cases are in North Shore Hospital, 18 are in Middlemore Hospital, 12 are in Auckland City Hospital, and one is in Wellington Regional Hospital.
Update: Monday 30 August 4:00pm
Cabinet has confirmed that Auckland will remain in Alert Level 4 for another 2 weeks, and Cabinet will meet again on 13 September to review this.
Northland will remain in Alert Level 4, until this Thursday, 2 September, then move to Alert Level 3.
The Alert Level 3 change will remain in place for New Zealand south of Auckland for a week, with a review on 6 September.
Dr Bloomfield says Level 4 is making a difference with a decrease in cases outside of households, and based on the modelling, the R value for the outbreak is now under one. The lower the R number gets, the quicker cases will decline, he says.
There are 37 people are in hospital and five are in intensive care.
There are 53 new cases of COVID-19 in the New Zealand community today. All 53 cases are in Auckland. This brings the total number of active cases in the community outbreak to 562.
The total number of community cases in Auckland is now 547 and in Wellington it is 15.
Cabinet meets today to discuss changes to Alert Levels, and will hold a press conference at 4pm on any changes. Rules around essential workplaces may be revised as a handful have seen transmission occur, while locations of interest continue to increase.
There were 83 new cases of COVID-19 in the New Zealand community yesterday; 82 are in Auckland, one is in Wellington who is a close contact of an existing case and was in isolation. This brings the total number of cases in the community outbreak to 511.
The total number of community cases in Auckland is now 496 and in Wellington it is 15.
More than 3.33 million doses of the Covid-19 vaccine have been administered to date (to 11.59pm on 29 August). Of these, 2.17 million are first doses and more than 1.16 million are second doses.
We have 840,000 doses in the country and will continue getting regular deliveries, the Prime Minister said.
There are 26 community testing centres available for testing across Auckland today, this includes 4 invitation-only testing centres for high-risk groups and to prioritise essential health care workers, 6 regular community testing centres and 16 pop-up testing centres.
The community testing centres at Wiri and Balmoral are operating extended hours this week and will stay open until 8pm to supplement existing testing in Urgent Care Clinics.
To speed up the process for our staff at testing centres it is helpful to bring your NHI number with you. You can find your NHI number on a hospital letter or prescription. Or call 0800 855 066 to find out. For up-to-date information on all testing locations, please visit the Healthpoint website.
Update: Saturday 28 August 1:00pm
There are 82 new cases of COVID-19 in the New Zealand community today; all are in Auckland. This brings the total number of cases in the community outbreak to 429.
The total number of community cases in Auckland is now 415 and in Wellington it is 14.
Of these 82 new cases, 62 are Pacific peoples, five are Asian, four are European, two are Māori , one is Middle Eastern/Latin American/African, and the ethnicity of eight is unknown.
Of the current community cases, 25 cases are in hospital – 23 are in a stable condition on a ward and two cases are in a stable condition in ICU.
Locations of interest
Additional locations of interest continue to be identified, so continue to check these regularly.
Testing
Testing nationwide remains an essential part of responding to this our break. Wherever you are in the country, if you were at a location of interest, at the specified times, or have cold and flu symptoms, please call Healthline on 0800 358 5453 for advice on testing.
By calling Healthline, people who have been at locations of interest at relevant times are logged into the contact tracing system. This means their swab can be tracked and processed faster by the laboratories.
Update: Friday 27 August 3:00pm
Cabinet has decided New Zealand south of Auckland will move to Alert Level 3 on Tuesday 31 January at 11:59pm.
There is no regional travel allowed across Alert Levels without an exemption to do so. Essential workers who need to cross the border will also need to apply for an exemption with their employer and the government to do so.
The move to Alert 3 will depend on where cases are coming from, says Dr Bloomfield. Hopefully no new cases will pop up from outside current clusters.
Auckland and north of Auckland will remain in Alert Level 4. Cabinet will consider how long we will remain in Level 4 on Monday, but based on the size of the outbreak, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says it is likely that Auckland will stay at Alert level 4 for another two weeks.
There are 70 new cases of COVID-19 in the New Zealand community today; all are in Auckland. This brings the total number of cases in the community outbreak to 347. The total number of community cases in Auckland is now 333 and in Wellington it is 14.
Update: Thursday 26 August 1:00pm
The Prime Minster Jacinda Ardern reiterated that the Delta Variant needs a much more vigilant response. She says that the elimination strategy remains the best one for now, and vaccination was key to that.
More than 3 million doses of the vaccine have been administered, and the 30+ age group opened yesterday.
Today, there 68 new cases community cases, bringing the total number 277. Of those 263 Auckland and 14 in Wellington. The two new Wellington cases are household contacts.
Since last update, there are 20 new locations of interest with 495 locations of interest, including a rugby game at De La Salle College in Mangere. Three supermarkets have been identified post-lockdown. Of the more than 400 locations of interest, only 13 have cases transmitted at those locations.
The number of contacts continues to increase. As 24402, 65% have been followed up contact tracers, and 71% of identified contacts have had a test. There are 23 community testing centres available for testing across Auckland , including 5 invitation-only for high-risk groups and to prioritise essential health care workers. There are 6 regular community testing centres and 12 pop-up testing centres, including a new pop-up at Tuakau in South Auckland.
The Ministry of Education has advised schools the start of school exams will be postponed by two weeks so that NCEA and Scholarship exams will start on 22 November.
Genomic testing so far are all linked to the Auckland community outbreak. Apart from Christchurch, wastewater testing has not detected Covid19 in the South Island. Three cases in Christchurch MIQ most likely account for the detection, but further wastewater testing is being done in Christchurch.
Update: Wednesday 25 August 1:00pm
Today there are 62 new positive cases, bringing the total to 210, with 12 people in hospital, but still none in ICU.
More than 20,000 contacts in the Auckland outbreak have now been identified, with more than 12,000 contacted, and 62 percent returning a test result.
The MOH says its not unexpected to see a rise in daily case numbers at this stage. At its peak last year, New Zealand had a daily total of 89 new cases.
There are currently six epidemiologically-linked subclusters identified within this outbreak. The two largest clusters are the Birkdale Social Network cluster associated with Case A (approximately 36 confirmed cases), and a cluster associated with the AOG church in Mangere (approximately 105 confirmed cases).
Again, please check the locations of interest throughout your day as these are being updated every two hours.
Update: Tuesday 24 August 1:00pm
Today there are 41 new positive cases, bringing the total to 148. Of these 137 are in Auckland and 11 are in Auckland. Eight are in hospital, but none are in ICU.
Dr Bloomfield expects to see slowing of cases this week as we move beyond the first week of level 4. About 15,741 contacts have been formally identified, and more than 9000 contacts have been spoken to and are isolating.
Yesterday, 63,333 vaccinations were given, the best day so far, and an incredible effort.
Dr Bloomfield said combating the Delta variant was like dealing with a whole new virus, especially as it is highly infectious and airborne. This reinforces the importance of following the Level 4 requirements.
Testing still remains important and wait times are improving especially as the primary care health providers are now testing as well.
Update: Tuesday 24 August 10:00am
There are currently 403 active Locations of Interest. The MoH is now announcing new locations every two hours from 8:00am to 8:00pm. Urgent locations may be announced outside of this schedule. Please check these regularly and self-isolate if you have been to one.
Western Springs College on Tuesday 17 August from 8:30am to 10:30am is now a location of interest.
Update: Monday 24 August 4:00pm
New Zealand is staying in alert level 4 lockdown until midnight on Friday 27 August, and Auckland until midnight Tuesday 31 August.
There are 35 confirmed new cases of Covid-19 in the New Zealand community to confirm today, 33 are in Auckland and two in Wellington, bringing the total number of community cases to 107. As before most are confirmed to the original cluster, while the others were at location’s of interest.
New locations of interest have been added, so make sure to check them throughout the day, especially as they include supermarkets, fast food outlets and fitness centres. The update on Alert Level 4 press conference will be at 4pm today.
Meantime, public health officials are investigating a possible link to those who used the atrium thoroughfare at the Crowne Plaza while the earliest identified case in MIQ was in the lobby, as there is a possibility of air flow between the two spaces.
Section 70 Notices
A section 70 notice remains in place, placing a legal requirement on all people who were at locations of interest at the relevant times to follow the instructions regarding isolation and testing. Another Section 70 notice applies that to household members of those who have been at locations of interest or have been categorised as a close contact. These household members are required to isolate until the contact has returned a negative day-five test result.
Household members are not required to be tested unless they develop symptoms. The requirements of this second notice do not apply to people who are required to provide an essential health service as long as they are vaccinated, the household member who visited the location of interest has had a negative result, and no one in the house has symptoms.
Update: Sunday 22 August 1:00pm
There are 21 new cases, bringing the total to 72 positive cases. Most are linked to the initial Auckland cluster, with the rest under investigation.
A staff member at Pukekohe High School has tested positive for Covid-19 meaning seven Auckland schools now have confirmed cases linked to them. The other five schools are: Western Springs College, Avondale College, Northcote College, Lynfield College, McAuley High School and De La Salle College.
Contacts have increased significantly, with 8677 close contacts identified.
From today, new locations of interest will be published every two hours, with significant ones published immediately, so ensure you keep checking these regularly. Several new cases have been linked to a service at a Samoan Assembly of God church service in Māngere last Sunday 15 August. Those who attended and who have not yet been tested are being asked to.
You can find test locations here.
Today, 1 million New Zealanders are now vaccinated. Drive-through vaccinations are being set-up around the country, with the largest in South Auckland. You still need a booking for a drive-in centre. You can check availability on book my vaccine.
In good news, 73 percent of New Zealanders over the age of 40 are either vaccinated or booked in to get the jab, and another 382,500 doses of the Pfizer Vaccine will arrive in New Zealand tomorrow.
Update: Saturday 21 August 1:00pm
21 new cases in the community, bringing the total of confirmed to 51. More than 5000 individual contacts have been identified and the Health Ministry expects that will grow and increase by another 5000 by the end of today.
Wastewater testing has detected Covid-19 in the Warkworth catchment area.
North Shore Emergency department is still closed, but the rest of the hospital is open.
14 community testing centres are now open across Auckland and locations can be found here.
A second AUT student and two further secondary schools students have tested positive for Covid19. The students were from Catholic girls’ secondary school McAuley High School in Ōtāhuhu, and Catholic boys’ secondary school De La Salle College in Māngere and were at school when infectious on 17 August.
An Auckland University student who has tested positive was a resident in Whitaker Block at Waipārūrū Hall.
14 community testing centres are now open across Auckland and locations can be found here.
Please continue to check the locations of interest as it is being updated throughout the day. If you were at a location of interest at the time and date, please call Healthline on 0800 358 5453 so your test can be recorded and tracked.
Update: Friday 20 August 3:00pm
PM Jacinda Ardern says as we don’t know the full scale of the outbreak, the whole country will remain at Level 4 until midnight Tuesday August 24.
There are 11 new cases, 31 in total. Of these, 19 are confirmed to the Auckland outbreak, and three in Wellington.
Contact tracing is well underway, with a focus on high risk locations.
As of 2:00 pm, there are 162 known contacts throughout the rest of New Zealand, and people who may have been exposed have dispersed throughout the country.
Testing centers had a busy day with 50% increase on the previous busiest day, and there is high demand. Dr Ashley Bloomfield said it was wonderful that people are being tested, but be patient. Testing capability is being ramped with more pop-up sites coming, but it’s important the right people get testing. If you haven’t been at a location and don’t have symptoms, then don’t have a test. If you have symptoms and were at a location at the date and time, isolate until you can get a test.
The vaccination program is back underway, but call ahead to GPs if you are getting a vaccine there to ensure social distancing is maintained.
Update: Friday 20 August 1:00pm
The MOH has advised that there are 11 news cases in the community, including three in Wellington, with 31 cases associated with the current Auckland community outbreak. The three Wellington cases had recently travelled to Auckland and visited a location of interest there. This reinforces the importance of getting tested if you have visited a place of interest.
Update: Friday 20 August 9:00am
Positive cases
The number of positive cases of COVID 19 within the community has climbed to 22 with 1 new community case identified overnight.
The cabinet will meet at 1pm today, and a press conference at 3pm will announce if there will be an extension to the Alert Level 4 lockdown.
The latest case was identified as a 20-year-old patient at Waitākere Hospital who had also been at North Shore Hospital prior to lockdown for an unrelated matter. Because of this, North Shore Hospital Emergency Department and the Short Stay Surgical Unit have been closed is closed to new admissions.
Two more high school students have tested positive, one at Northcote College and one at Lynfield College. Another student has tested positive at AUT.
The 21 cases identified yesterday are located in Auckland and 20 of those cases have been confirmed as having the Delta variant of COVID 19. The original cluster has been linked to a returnee from Sydney who arrived on an MIQ flight on August 07, this person was subsequently transferred to hospital on August 16.
Locations of Interest and COVID Testing
The Director General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield says the spike in case numbers was to be expected and additional pop up COVID testing stations are being added across the country. Health officials are urging people to closely monitor the list of locations of interest visited by positive cases and to get a COVID test immediately if they or anyone in their household has been at any of the places identified within the timeframe specified. Other people within the household who were not at the location are required to self-isolate separately until a negative test result is confirmed.
Waiting times at testing stations are currently very long, so check with your GP first to see if they can test you. If you need to go to a testing station, make sure you have snacks and water in case of a long wait.
Staff and Student Resources
IMT has swiftly responded to the situation and all relevant information and updates can be found on our COVID 19 Information and Updates page.
Student Support is working closely with our newly elected Student President Kevin Toto to craft focused student centric information. All the student information and updates can be found at the Unitec Students Stay Informed page.
The full video of Thursday’s press conference can be viewed here