The vaccine 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, 21,821 booster doses (previous day: 44,466 doses), 746 first doses (previous day: 1,284 doses) and 2,333 second doses (previous day: 3921) were administered.
More than half a million doses of Pfizer vaccine for 5-11 year old children arrived in New Zealand this weekend. Immunisation of children aged 5 – 11 years old starts on Monday 17 January. Children need two doses of the vaccine to be fully protected and it is recommended that these are given at least eight weeks apart, although the interval can be safely shortened to a minimum of 21 days if needed. The vaccine is free. A parent, caregiver or legal guardian will need to accompany the child to their immunisation appointment and provide consent for them to be vaccinated.
Cases in hospital: 31; Northland 1; North Shore: 5; Auckland: 11; Middlemore: 12, Tauranga: 2.
Vaccination status of current hospitalisations (Northern Region wards only): Unvaccinated or not eligible (8 cases / 30%); partially immunised <7 days from second dose or have only received one dose (7 cases / 26%); fully vaccinated at least 7 days before being reported as a case (11 cases / 41%); 1 unknown (4%).
Average age of current hospitalisations: 58
Cases in ICU or HDU: 2 (both in Middlemore).
There were no unexpected wastewater detections.
We are reporting new community cases over the past two days in Auckland, Taranaki, Waikato, Bay of Plenty and Wellington.
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 https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/diseases-and-conditions/covid-19-novel-coronavirus/covid-19-health-advice-public/contact-tracing-covid-19/covid-19-contact-tracing-locations-interest
Testing and vaccination centre locations nationwide can be found on the Healthpoint website.
There are 57 new cases in the Auckland region over the past two days.
There are seven cases to report over the past two days.
Three of the cases are in Te Kūiti and have all been linked to previous cases, two cases are in Te Awamutu, one has a Taupō residential address (and is linked to a previous case), and one case where the location is under investigation. Three cases are currently unlinked.
Pop-up testing sites are operating in Whangamatā and Waihi and testing is available at the Whangamatā Medical Centre and Whitianga general practices. For details of all dedicated testing sites operating over the holiday period, please visit Healthpoint, the DHB webpage or DHB Facebook page.
In the Waikato, Public Health, primary care and manaaki providers are supporting 34 cases to isolate at home.
There are 16 cases to report in the Bay of Plenty over the past two days. Thirteen of these cases are in Tauranga, and three are in the Western Bay of Plenty District. All cases are linked to previously notified cases.
There are two cases to report in Lakes, both in Rotorua, over the past two days. One is linked to a previously notified case and the other is being investigated.
There is one previously reported case for Taranaki which is being added to our tally today.
The case is a household contact of a previous case and linked to the Eltham cluster. They have been in isolation across the festive period. This is currently the only active case in Taranaki.
Details for both testing and vaccinations in Taranaki are provided here: TDHB - COVID-19 testing and TDHB - COVID-19 vaccine
There are no other cases to report other than the two announced yesterday and which are being added to our case tally today.
The Ministry encourages anyone who has visited any of the locations of interest in the Wellington and Otaki areas who have symptoms – no matter how mild – to get tested, even if you’re vaccinated and to please stay at home until they return a negative test result.