Vaccination remains our key defence against all variants of COVID-19, including Omicron. We continue to ask everyone who is eligible to get vaccinated, including people who are now eligible for a booster dose.
In the past 24 hours, 10,703 booster doses (previous day: 21,821 doses) were given.
A total of 500,821 booster doses have now been given since they became available in late November 2021, representing more than 35% of those who are currently eligible.
Boosters are strongly recommended for anyone over 18 who has had their second dose at least 4 months ago.
From 17 January 2022, anyone who has had their second dose more than 4 months ago can book a booster at BookMyVaccine.nz. Many clinics are accepting walk-ins for boosters right now. You can also book currently by calling the COVID Vaccination Healthline team on 0800 28 29 26.
Vaccines administered to date (percentage of eligible people): 3,980,957 first doses (95%); 3,874,700 second doses (92%); 31,931 third primary doses; 500,821 booster doses
Vaccines administered yesterday: 459 first doses; 1,386 second doses; 123 third primary doses and 10,703 booster doses.
Māori (percentage of eligible people): 502,246 first doses (88%); 467,034 second doses (82%)
Pacific Peoples (percentage of eligible people): 270,331 first doses (94%); 260,277 second doses (91%)
There were no unexpected wastewater detections.
We are reporting new community cases in Auckland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Lakes and Wellington. We ae also reporting two cases in Hawke’s Bay, as outlined below. They tested positive in Waikato but have Hawke’s Bay addresses. We are also reporting one case in Northland today which will officially be added to tomorrow’s numbers.
*Today we are reporting 96% first dose and 94% second dose in Auckland metro’s figures. These percentages are lower than those we reported in yesterday’s update. Yesterday’s percentages reflected the current situation in the Auckland DHB area only. Today’s numbers reflect the combined percentage for Auckland, Waitemata and Counties Manukau DHBs.
We are continuing to ask anyone in New Zealand with symptoms – no matter how mild – to get tested, even if you’re vaccinated. Please stay at home until you return a negative test result. We are also asking people to regularly check the locations of interest as these are regularly updated and to follow the advice provided.
Testing and vaccination centre locations nationwide can be found on the Healthpoint website.
Please also continue to check for any updated Locations of Interest and appropriate health advice, updated regularly on the Ministry’s website.
There is one new case to announce in Northland today – in the Hokianga area.
This case was reported after the daily cut-off and will be included in tomorrow’s figures.
This case is linked to a known case in the Hokianga and was already in isolation as a close contact when they tested positive. Further investigations are underway to confirm any potential exposures from this case
There are 16 cases to report in Auckland today.
Health and welfare providers are now supporting 944 people in the region to isolate at home, including 204 cases.
There are five new cases in the Waikato today, three are unlinked.
Two are in Hamilton, one in Ngāruawāhia, one in Whitianga, one in Coromandel town.
Pop-up testing sites are operating in Whangamatā and testing is available at general practices in Whangamatā, Whitianga and Te Awamutu by appointment. For details of all dedicated testing sites including other general practices, please visit Healthpoint, the DHB webpage or DHB Facebook page.
In the Waikato, Public Health, primary care and manaaki providers are supporting 36 cases to isolate at home.
There are two cases to report in the Western Bay of Plenty today.
One of today’s case is a household previously reported cases, and one is still being investigated for potential links.
Both cases are isolating at home.
At this stage, no further positive COVID-19 test results have been received associated with the drum and bass festival in Tauranga’s Wharepai Domain on 3 January which had been attended by a person with COVID-19.
All those who attended the festival should monitor for symptoms and get tested if any symptoms develop, no matter how mild.
No further cases have been linked to the festival and the initial test results of the 11 close contacts of the Wellington case are all negative.
There is one case to report in Rotorua today.
The case is still being investigated for links to previously reported cases.
There are two Hawke’s Bay residents who have tested positive while in Waikato.
Both cases are previously linked to reported cases in Waikato.
Both cases are currently isolating in Te Kūiti. There are no known exposure events associated with these cases in Hawke’s Bay.
There is one new case to report in Wellington.
The case attended the Britomart Block Party in Auckland on New Year’s Eve.
Anyone who attended this event between 11.15pm on 31 December and 2.30am on 1 January are advised to immediately get tested then self-monitor for COVID-19 symptoms for 10 days after you were exposed. If you have symptoms get tested, stay home until you receive a negative test result.
The case is in isolation and, at this stage, no associated locations of interest have been identified in the Wellington region. Locations of interest for other Wellington cases are published on the Ministry website and we encourage people to check these and follow the instructions for symptoms and testing.