We are continuing to see a steady decline in case numbers in Auckland, while cases in other parts of the country fluctuate. Case numbers generally decline over the weekend, likely linked to a lower level of testing.

There are 957 COVID-19 hospitalisations to report, which is an increase from 939 reported yesterday. Every COVID-19 hospitalisation is a reminder of the importance of getting vaccinated to prevent severe illness from Omicron. There is a much lower risk of being hospitalised if you are up to date with your vaccinations, which for Omicron includes a third or booster dose.

So, if you’re due any dose of the vaccine, including a booster, please get vaccinated as quickly as possible to ensure you are well protected against Omicron.

Travellers from Samoa

Travellers from Samoa to New Zealand on four specific flights over coming weeks are now required to complete two Rapid Antigen Tests after they arrive, the first on Day 0/1 (within 36 hours of arriving) and the second on Day 5/6 (between 120 and 144 hours after arriving). They will be issued testing kits on arrival.

This follows the identification of COVID-19 community transmission in Samoa on Thursday. Yesterday 95 cases were reported in Samoa and the country is now in an Alert Level 3 lockdown.

Travellers from Samoa are still eligible to enter New Zealand without going into quarantine, provided those on the four flights undergo the two tests and report their results either by an automated email survey or by calling 0800 432 010. This requirement does not apply to aircrew.

The four flights are:

• 19 March flight NZ993 to Auckland (already arrived)

• 22 March flight NZ993 to Auckland

• 29 March flight NZ993 to Auckland

• 10 April flight NZ993 to Auckland


COVID-19 related deaths
Sadly, we are today reporting and additional nine people have died with COVID-19.

This takes the total number of publicly reported COVID related deaths to 175 and the 7-day rolling average of reported deaths to 9.

Of these nine people who have died, one was from Capital and Coast, four from Auckland, three from the Bay of Plenty and one from Waikato.

Two of these people were in their 50s, two in their 70s, four in their 80s and one in their 90s. Eight were male and one was female.

Our thoughts are with their family and friends at this sad time.

Out of respect, we will be making no further comment.

Vaccinations administered in New Zealand
Vaccines administered to date: 4,024,376 first doses; 3,971,793 second doses; 34,226 third primary doses; 2,550,651 booster doses: 256,769 paediatric first doses and 37,252 paediatric second doses
Vaccines administered yesterday: 222 first doses; 407 second doses; 6 third primary doses; 5,201 booster doses; 544 paediatric first doses and 7,581 paediatric second doses
People vaccinated
All Ethnicities (percentage of eligible people aged 12+): 4,052,583 first dose (96.3%); 3,999,131 second dose (95%), 2,539,049 boosted (72.8% of those eligible)
Māori (percentage of eligible people aged 12+): 519,733 first dose (91%); 501,544 second dose (87.8%), 223,758 boosted (59% of those eligible)
Pacific Peoples (percentage of eligible people aged 12+): 281,159 first dose (98.1%); 275,841 second dose (96.2%), 133,417 boosted (59.7% of those eligible)
5 to 11-year-olds all ethnicities: 255,249 first dose (53.6%); 23,545 second dose (4.9%)
5 to 11-year-olds - Māori: 39,670 first dose (34.3%); 2,889 second dose (2.5%)
5 to 11-year-olds - Pacific Peoples: 22,940 first dose (46.4%); 1,459 second dose (3%)
Note that the number for “People vaccinated” differs slightly from “Vaccines administered” as it includes those that have been vaccinated overseas.

Vaccination rates for all DHBs* 
Northland DHB: first dose (90.1%); second dose (87.9%); boosted (69.7%)
Auckland Metro DHB: first dose (97.2%); second dose (96.1%); boosted (71%)
Waikato DHB: first dose (95.1%); second dose (93.5%); boosted (68.4%)
Bay of Plenty DHB: first dose (95%); second dose (93.2%); boosted (68.5%)
Lakes DHB: first dose (93.3%); second dose (91.4%); boosted (68.9%)
MidCentral DHB: first dose (96.5%); second dose (95.1%); boosted (74.4%)
Tairāwhiti DHB: first dose (93.2%); second dose (90.8%); boosted (69.5%)
Whanganui DHB: first dose (91.9%); second dose (90.3%); boosted (73.9%)
Hawke’s Bay DHB: first dose (97%); second dose (95.3%); boosted (72.6%)
Taranaki DHB: first dose (94.5%); second dose (93.1%); boosted (70.1%)
Wairarapa DHB: first dose (96.4%); second dose (94.9%); boosted (75%)
Capital & Coast DHB: first dose (98.5%); second dose (97.8%); boosted (81.2%)
Hutt Valley DHB: first dose (96.6%); second dose (95.5%); boosted (77.1%)
Nelson Marlborough DHB: first dose (96.4%); second dose (95.2%); boosted (76%)
West Coast DHB: first dose (92.6%); second dose (91%); boosted (74%)
Canterbury DHB: first dose (99.6%); second dose (98.6%); boosted (75.8%)
South Canterbury DHB: first dose (94.9%); second dose (93.8%); boosted (76.6%)
Southern DHB: first dose (98.1%); second dose (96.9%); boosted (75.1%)
*Partially and second doses percentages are for those 12+. Boosted percentages are for 18+ who have become eligible 3 months after having their second dose

Percentages are based on 2020 HSU data - a health-specific population denominator. As the population continues to change over time, coverage rates can exceed 100%.

Hospitalisations*
Cases in hospital: total number 957: Northland: 32; North Shore: 170; Middlemore: 222; Auckland: 197; Waikato: 83; Bay of Plenty: 29; Lakes: 8; Tairāwhiti: 2, Hawke’s Bay: 30; Taranaki: 4; MidCentral: 22; Hutt Valley: 21; Capital and Coast: 50; Wairarapa: 5; Whanganui: 3; Nelson Marlborough: 10; Canterbury: 42; South Canterbury: 1; Southern: 27
Average age of current hospitalisations: 58
Cases in ICU or HDU: 26
 Vaccination status of current hospitalisations (Northern Region only, excluding Emergency Departments): Unvaccinated or not eligible (107 cases / 18.6%); partially immunised <7 days from second dose or have only received one dose (15 cases / 2.6%); double vaccinated at least 7 days before being reported as a case (205 cases / 35.6%); Received booster at least 7 days before being reported as a case (221 cases / 38.4%); unknown (28 cases / 4.9%)
*The figures show that just under 3% of people aged 12 and over in the Northern Region have had no doses of the vaccine, while of those aged 12 and over in Northland and Auckland hospitals with COVID-19 for whom we have vaccination status recorded, 18.6% have had no doses of the vaccine and are five times over-represented in our hospitalisation figures.




Cases
Seven day rolling average of community cases: 17,278
Number of new community cases: 12,020
Number of new community cases (PCR): 260
Number of new community cases (RAT): 11,760
Location of new community cases (PCR & RAT): Northland (416), Auckland (2,768), Waikato (1,093), Bay of Plenty (804), Lakes (330), Hawke’s Bay (676), MidCentral (540), Whanganui (169), Taranaki (373), Tairāwhiti (210), Wairarapa (146), Capital and Coast (795), Hutt Valley (443), Nelson Marlborough (308), Canterbury (1,897), South Canterbury (171), Southern (840), West Coast (22); Unknown (9)
Number of new cases identified at the border: 26
Number of active community cases (total): 120,942 (cases identified in the past 7 days and not yet classified as recovered)
Confirmed cases (total): 482,078
Please note, the Ministry of Health’s daily reported cases may differ slightly from those reported at a DHB or local public health unit level. This is because of different reporting cut off times and the assignment of cases between regions, for example when a case is tested outside their usual region of residence. Total numbers will always be the formal daily case tally as reported to the WHO.

Tests
Number of PCR tests total (last 24 hours): 2,550
Number of Rapid Antigen Tests reported total (last 24 hours): 26,924
PCR tests rolling average (last 7 days): 3,857
PCR Number of Rapid Antigen Tests dispatched (last 7 days as of 18/03/22): 10.8 million (Please note that this number is not updated over the weekend and reflects the number of tests as of Friday.)

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